Jesus used examples in the Bible to explain things that the people of the day would understand. This is one reason why in a culture that was greatly agricultural, at least six of the parables He told in the Bible are about farming in one way or another. Over a dozen are about food. These are things people could relate to. It would have been unwise only to use examples of things such as his knowledge of carpentry or the details of the letter of the Jewish Law with the common people.
Why did Jesus use light to refer to Himself?
Quite simply, darkness is powerful. I must admit that at sixty years old, it is still a bit intimidating to me. It hides things. That means that so evil loves to lurk in it. However, even the smallest amount of light can change that! A small flickering candle in an otherwise dark room emits enough light to create shadows and reveal what is hiding. Light brings truth to the surface. It shows life. In fact, light is necessary for life to continue.
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1, KJV)
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 KJV
So true! The light of the Lord shines and is our path. The Word of the Lord is the light that shines to brighten that path. What is more, Jesus is both the light and the Word, come to Earth as God and man.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, KJV)
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12 KJV) (Emphasis added)
Light will always reflect, refract, or be absorbed.
A simple fact of optical physics is that when light strikes an object, it will do one of three things. It will bounce, or be reflected, as it does on a mirror or shiny surface; it will be refracted through it, as it does through clear glass; or it will be absorbed, as it does when it hits your face on a sunny day.
If we are to be the light of the world as stated above, let us reflect (no pun intended) on what that means.
Reflection: We are to be a reflection of Christ. When people look at us, they should see Christ in us. We are not only to live a learned and faithful life but a holy life. People will see our holiness much more readily than our inner faith.
Refraction: Just as light passes through a lens one way and exits with greater clarity on the other side, let our own experiences leave us with a better understanding that we can use as a demonstration to others. Let us be forged with the fire of our tribulations as a testimony of our faith and even more so to the sovereignty of our God.
Absorption: When light is absorbed, it turns into another form of energy — usually heat. When the light of the Lord and His goodness are absorbed into you, let it warm you. In turn, share that warmth with others.
Do you have the Light of Jesus shining in you today? If you do, I am glad to know that. In fact, I hope and pray that you are sharing this light with others. There is too much darkness in the world.
On the other hand, if you do not have this light in your life, He is waiting for you with open arms. Invite Him into your life. The light, the warmth, and the peace that you will find are beyond compare. I would be glad to discuss this with you. Drop me a note in the comments if you would like to chat about this.
May God richly bless each and every one of you. -Jim