Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

Light was the very first creation in Genesis. Light dispels darkness and allows us to see where we are and what is around us. Have you ever walked through your home in the dark not wanting to wake anyone? But then you stumble or stub your toe or step on something in the darkness. How many of us put a night light in our child’s room so they are not in darkness?

Our first verse comes when Jesus is teaching in the temple and the Pharisees bring to Him a woman caught in adultery to be stoned, but in reality, to test Jesus. Most of us are familiar with this story. After her accusers have been convicted and are gone, and the woman sent away forgiven, Jesus begins to teach again. And our verse is His first statement. Jesus is the light of the world, He lights our pathway, He drives away our darkness, and He is “the light that leads to life.”

Our next verses are from the Sermon on the Mount. Here Jesus says that we, as His followers, are also light. We are the light of the world and like a city on a hilltop our light cannot be hidden. As Christians, followers of Jesus, we too have the power of His light in us. We don’t hide our light; we let it shine so that everyone we meet can see Jesus’ light in us. We offer love and kindness, patience and gentleness, peace and joy, faithfulness and goodness, and self-control in our interactions with others.

This week let’s all find opportunities to shine the light of Jesus for everyone to see. Your light can brighten someone’s day with encouragement or help. Your light can comfort someone who is grieving or hurting. Your light can simply be a smile for someone or a listening ear, shared laughter or a pat on the back.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we look for opportunities to shine the powerful light of Jesus to everyone we meet.

Blessings and joy as you shine the light of Jesus for all the world to see!