February 18 Eternal Light

John 8:12 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.”
 
THIS may be one of Jesus’ most well-known illustrations of the gospel’s power to save. He has been teaching in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles. Many understand Jesus’ teaching here to be the day after the Feast has ended.
   To fully understand the impact of Jesus’ self-declaration, we should know that light was a significant part of the Feast of Tabernacles. As God sheltered and dwelled with his people during their 40-year journey in the desert, he also led them with his protective pillar of fire.
   To commemorate this, in the temple square stood four 75-foot tall torches that burned constantly to illuminate the temple, the city and the country. Torches burned, too, on hillsides throughout Judea and Galilee.
   Light illuminated God’s presence in the world from beginning. His light came to earth before the sun in Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” He created the sun on the fourth day. In Exodus 3, God revealed himself to Moses through the burning bush. God showed himself to his people from Mt. Sinai as a consuming fire.
   Light also represents God’s revelation, holiness, and salvation is such visions as Ezekiel 1:4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north — an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal. Isaiah prophesied the Servant of the Lord would be a "light to the nations" (Isa 49:6). And gloriously, God will be the light for his people in the Kingdom of God: Isaiah 60:19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. You see this same language and promise in Revelation 22.
   In effect, the temporary festival lights had been extinguished. But then the eternal I AM God who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who spoke to the doubting, questioning Moses, had come to speak to the doubting, questioning Jews.
   We will see the Jews continue to stubbornly resist his revelation. I hope you, though, are eager to receive Jesus’ light today. As he lights your spiritual pathway, he will show you the way through even dark, shadowy valleys. The Light of the World will illuminate your heart to heaven’s light. Your heart will love God and love one another. You will walk with joy and wonder, as you remember the Lord God has led you out of sin’s darkness into his eternal glory.
 
Prayer: We praise you, Lord Jesus, for clearly declaring your holiness to us. We rejoice to know you call your people to follow you into heaven’s eternal Light. Amen.