When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

I wrote this piece for a young 15-year-old girl named Freedom, who I heard was really struggling health-wise. She was hanging out at McDonalds with friends on Halloween and hit the back of her head. Since October, she has had numb feet and cannot handle any intensity of light or noise. She has been living at home, with her parents helping her around, in a dark room, without much sound or activity. Please pray for Freedom’s health and for her family. Pray also that they can raise money for healthcare bills for her. If you are interested in donating to the cause, you can do so here: https://gofund.me/715cfdfa2

Here is what God gave me to encourage her this morning. May it encourage you too!

When Jesus spoke this statement, it was in the middle of his ministry. John the apostle at the beginning of his book says before Jesus’ ministry, this about John the Baptist, “He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:8-9) The true light was Jesus!

When God guided the Israelites out of Egypt, and into the desert, he went before them as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This pillar of fire was a light to guide them, and a strong symbol of power and might to protect them from their enemies. (Exodus 13:21-22)

When he says, “I AM”, it is a reference that he is God. God named himself “I AM” in Exodus 13:14, before Moses rescued the Israelites from the Egyptian’s hands.

And when he says, “the light of the world”, this was of particular significance. He was most likely, in the middle of The Feast of Tabernacles, attending a ceremony called “The Illumination of the Temple”. During this ceremony, at least on the first night (and many years, on every night), they would light two large golden chandeliers in the Court of the Women. And this light would illuminate all of Jerusalem. (From Commentary by Henry Alford)

I like to picture Jesus standing by these giant chandeliers, making this statement, “I AM the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” It is like he was saying, “You think this light is big and powerful? It only lights up Jerusalem. It is nothing compared to the light I give off. My light covers the whole world and penetrates the heart of every person who follows me!”

And what reinforces this statement, is the interaction he had just before this with the Pharisees. They brought before him a woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees did not care about her or her life. They used her as a pawn to try to entrap Jesus. It is notable that the man she committed adultery with is nowhere to be found.

Jesus said to them: “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7) Then, after they had all left, realizing their sin, he said to her, “’Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She replied, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.’” (John 8:10-11)

Jesus was not a person who tried to illuminate his life for his own glory, or have the prominent position at the festivals, or dress up in all the fancy clothes of the Pharisees. Instead, his light was a light because he followed God and placed his trust in him.
When I think about a lighthouse, it is the actions of Jesus I think about. He shone light into the dark recesses of the soul and guided those he touched to safety and protection in the rough waves of life. He has done this for me, and he will also shine his light for you.

Whatever darkness, challenge, or heartache we face, God knows and cares. And he sent Jesus to be our lighthouse to guide us “through it all”. And he also calls us to be a light to others in dark places by how we live, faithful and true.

He said: “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) We are on the high ground as we rest in Jesus and place our trust in him. We light the way for others by our faith in the one who said, “I AM the Light of the World.”

I love the lyrics to this old hymn “Through it All” by Andre Crouch

I've had many tears and sorrow
I've had questions for tomorrow
There's been times I didn't know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave me blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong
I've been a lot of places
And I've seen millions of faces
But there were times that I felt so all alone
But in my lonely hours
Yes, those precious lonely hours
Jesus let me know that I was His own
That's the reason I say that
Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Let me tell you that
Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to depend upon his word
So I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through
For if I'd never had a problem
I'd never know that God could solve them
I'd never know what faith in his word could do
Through it all
Let me tell you that
Through it all
Oh, Lord, Lord
I've learned to depend upon his word
Oh, through my sickness and pain
I've learned to depend upon his word
Oh, through sorrow and shame
I've learned to depend upon his word
Jesus is our Light, the Lighthouse that guides us “Though it All.”