In John 8:12, Jesus says,
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021), Jn 8:12.
So, following Jesus would mean following the light of the world and also to have the light of life. What about someone who does not follow Jesus? In this case, they would not have the light of life, but be full of darkness and death, if we were to take the antonyms of light and life.
Upon reflection, we also realise that darkness is associated with gloominess and death, whereas life is always associated with light. Light is also associated with a holy person, or a hero of a story, whereas darkness is associated with a sinner or a villain of a story.
What can we learn from this? Are we in the light? How can we shine this light upon others? Or do we need the light ourselves, given that all of us are sinners? These are all deep questions, which can be answered in a brief manner, but also never exhausts its depth. The answer is obviously to give one’s life to Christ and to be dependent on him to shine His light through you so that others who are in darkness see the light and are attracted to it like moths to an open flame.
But, giving one’s life to Christ is no small matter. He calls for absolute obedience to his commandments to love God will all our heart, soul and strength, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Do we ever fail to do that? And when we do fail, do we give up or try to get back up? There are many who struggle with following God’s words for a myriad of reasons, but primarily due to the flesh. As long as one does not give up on himself and is fighting against the fleshly desires and looking forward to the day of resurrection, they are able to demonstrate the light of Jesus shining through them.
This is why we can be called saints, that is, to be set apart and to not be of the world, even when we are in the world. We need to know we are pilgrims or sojourners here and temper ourselves accordingly. May God help us and keep us and have His light shine upon ourselves. Amen.
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