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Jesus is the Light Within Us
In the process of healing a man born blind, in the ninth chapter of John, Jesus explains that, "[he is] the light of the world." Jesus is the Light, because it is he who reveals our brokenness and rebellion against God. In his light we are invited and empowered to overcome the darkness that surrounds us and lead lives of peace and reconciliation with God and neighbor. In Jesus, God became a human being and revealed the true nature of God to a broken world. Jesus came into the world to restore the spiritual sight of all people.
While Jesus states that he is the light of the world, he also declares that we are the light of the world. When we accept his light into us and become citizens of his Kingdom, we become radiant vessels of his love and reconciling power. Like a city on a hill, we cannot be hid. As we yield to his life and power within us, we become bearers of his love and truth to everyone around us. Jesus is the light of the world, and he shines through our transformed lives as we make room for him in our hearts.
Like the blind man whom Jesus healed, we do not receive the light because of our own innate capacities. Instead, Jesus invites us into his brightly-lit Kingdom despite our spiritual blindness. Jesus loves us and wants to live in us, even when we resist him - even when we crucify him. As we submit to being transformed by the light, we are restored in the image of Christ: We become lamps, bearing the light of Christ out into the darkened world. As Christ dwells in us through his Holy Spirit, we become agents of God's presence in the world. The Kingdom of God is incarnated in our households and communities.
Because we are light in the darkness, the world easily sees us, and often rejects us. Because the contrast between the way of the Kingdom and the ways of the wider culture are often stark, we are tempted to hide Christ's light. Yet, despite the risk of rejection, even persecution, we are called to lead lives of boldness. Jesus calls us to put our lamps - our Spirit-filled lives - on a lampstand. We are meant to be an unmistakable sign of God's Kingdom on earth. We can take hope in the fact that, as the writer of John declares, "the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
If we are faithful in following the guidance of the Spirit, becoming vessels of Christ's light in the world, we will share in the victory of the Lamb who was slain, our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Micah Bales, Ohio Yearly Meeting |
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