The Light of Life

The Light of Life Devo Image

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”—John 8:12 (NKJV)

We live in unusual times. Let’s be honest, when we pull back and look at the timeline of human history with a wide-angle lens and consider all those who’ve populated this planet since its beginning, our lives share space with things most people in the past couldn’t imagine—a 5G network, 4K High Def, Tic Toc challenges, a Hadron Collider buried hundreds of feet below the border of Switzerland and France.

We also have something called “light pollution,” which is light that’s so abundant it’s unwanted! The very concept of this is unthinkable for the vast majority of mankind. Historically, light has always been a precious commodity. The reliable light source of the sun dictates the rhythm of life. And when the sun sets, alternate forms of light spring into life so the necessary course of life can continue. Torches, candles, lamps, flashlights, etc. have been so valuable for so many because light makes life possible.

This was especially true in the specific time and place when Jesus walked the earth. In comparison to our world, it was primitive. There was no such thing as light pollution. A great premium was placed on light because once the sun set, you couldn’t do much. And if you should have an emergency at night like an animal breaking loose and going astray or hearing an infant’s cry or a suspicious sound, you were at a real disadvantage. Your life was in a more precarious position when you lacked light.

Now consider what Jesus is saying as He proclaims, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Again, we can have a hard time connecting with the significance of this statement because we don’t value light the way we should. But put yourself in the place of Christ’s audience. Your heart would thrill at the thought of there being a continual light source. It would radically change your life; no more darkness, uncertainly, aimlessness, or lostness.

However, Jesus wasn’t speaking naturally but spiritually. Spiritually, humanity was plunged into an unending darkness when sin entered the world. Since the fall in Eden, our spiritual lives became lost and confused. We were blind and aimless, unable to even find our way back to God. But Jesus came and illuminated our way back to God and the spiritual life He freely gives. He’s still shining and showing those in spiritual darkness the path. May we devote our lives to pointing them to the One who reveals the light of life.

Pause: What’s the spiritual significance of Christ’s statement here?

Practice: Consider how you can increase participation in God’s plan to reveal Himself to the lost through Jesus.

Pray: Lord, thank You for being the light I so desperately need in order to have the life You give. Use me to help others see what I’ve been shown by You. Amen.

About the Author

Pastor Dan Hickling

Pastor Dan Hickling serves our online community, also known as the Calvary Chapel Online Campus. He and his wife Becky have been married for 22 years and have two children, Lauren and Danny. Both Dan and Becky have been part of the CCFL church family for 22 years and have served in full time ministry for 20 of those years.