We have now looked at how Jesus spoke to us personally, as well as how He spoke to us corporately, and all in this one statement about being the "light of the world." Now I must simply explain one final thought on it, so that we can move on to the next portion of our study... how to never walk in darkness again!
"Then Jesus spoke to them again: 'I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.'"
John 8:12, HCSB
It's really a simple explanation, and this is it: follow Him.
Undoubtedly, the simplicity of it all raises questions in our "enlightened" and "grown-up" level of our own "understanding." (Please notice, the quotations here are for sarcastic effect.) However, if you asked a child at a Vacation Bible School what it means to follow Christ, they would probably just respond by saying either "just follow Him," or "do the ABC's of salvation." Children Accept that they are sinners, they Believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and they Confess (at the appropriate age) that Jesus Christ is... and let me make this perfectly clear, with no shadows or doubts... THE ONE AND ONLY SON OF GOD, AND THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION AND HEAVEN. They just accept it. As easily as they accept that 2+2=4, they accept that Jesus Christ takes away their sins, and they ask Him to live in their hearts, and they become co-heirs with Christ, just as you and I are.
Adults, on the other hand, tend to ask useless and ridiculous "what if" questions about morality. Please allow me to answer them all in two words: so what! Jesus' redemptive power does not stop because someone is guilty of this sin or that one, and He is not limited by what we are capable of doing, so please understand that any time you assume you could slow Him down with your failed humanity and sin nature, that is blasphemy. When we (yes, I said we) try this, we are attempting to cover His light with our own darkness, and that cannot succeed. Again, for clarity, we cannot shadow His light with our darkness... period.
So let's go back to the simple explanation: follow Him. For Peter, this meant following Him in all things, including the method of execution. For Paul, this meant turning a radical 180 degrees from persecution of martyrs like Stephen to profound praise and worship in the face of extreme opposition. For me, it meant realizing that as smart as I may be by human standards (mostly measured by myself, if I'm to be really honest), I am NOTHING in comparison to the One who created me... and you... and that guy over there... and that lady over there. For you it may mean something slightly different, but the end result will always be the same: He comes first, before all things, and you (like me) come second. That's right, I said second. And yes, I also said in all things, which means that you really are less important in all things than Him.
Don't miss this... in that realization, placing yourself second behind the Father, behind the Son, behind the Spirit, you properly follow Him. Now, of course, realizing and living it out are two different things, and both must be accomplished. It is vital that the recognition be followed by awareness to remain in the second position, as well as the willful act to keep yourself in the second position. Further, you must go forth, as we are commanded, to spread the Good News, as He did, and seek out those who are in need of Him. It is in this way that you will be light for others, just as He is light for you, and there is no way that darkness could engulf you ever again.
God bless you all!!!
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