(Read John 8)
When we think about God, we often project our own attributes onto Him, shaping Him in our image. He’s firm in addressing areas we believe need correction yet tender and comforting in what we care about most. In our version of Him, He gently tells us that we’re not as bad as other people who are much worse sinners than we are. This is the kind of God we get when we ignore areas of Scripture or cherry-pick the parts we like. We get a God in our likeness.
The Scribes and Pharisees in 1st-century Judea wanted the same kind of God for themselves. They wanted a God who would answer their needs according to their relative truths rather than the absolute truth of the Bible or scrolls of their day. They believed their Messiah should be a conquering military hero who would lead them to freedom from Roman oppression, almost like another type of Exodus. Jesus came as an entirely different kind of Messiah to the world.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
The passage from Isaiah 60:1-3 is a profound and hopeful prophecy that speaks of the coming of God’s glory and the light that will shine upon His people. The command to “arise, shine” is a call for God’s people to awaken and radiate the light of His presence, which has now come to them. Isaiah was unmistakably highlighting Jesus’ role as the light of the world and the fulfillment of God’s promises of salvation and glory.
Isaiah refers to a light that is not merely physical but spiritual and moral, symbolizing the revelation of God’s truth, righteousness, and salvation. Despite the pervasive darkness and moral decay covering the earth, God will intervene, and His glory will be seen upon His people.
Isaiah’s prophecy extends beyond his own time and community, showing an era when nations and rulers alike are drawn to God’s radiant light. This light, shining upon His people, carries universal appeal—welcoming individuals from every background and corner of the earth. In this grand plan of redemption, followers of Christ and the Church are called to serve as a beacon of hope and truth. We are entrusted with reflecting God’s light, proclaiming the Gospel’s truth and the hope it brings so that all may be drawn to the brilliance of His presence and find salvation.
Jesus Christ embodies the fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision, in which nations and kings come to the light. His Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) reaffirms the global reach of God’s glory, instructing believers to make disciples of all nations. The journey of the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12) symbolizes this same reality, representing distant nations drawn to the radiance of Christ. Through Jesus, the splendor of God’s glory is revealed to the world.
He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.’
Job 33:28
Job had a very clear picture of redemption from suffering, but his friend Elihu gave him a better perspective on his trials. Elihu emphasized the redemptive and transformative power of God’s intervention in the lives of those suffering. The part of the verse, “my life shall look upon the light,” speaks to the restoration of hope and joy. The “light” here symbolizes life, understanding, and the presence of God, projecting the image of transformation, where the darkness of suffering and despair is replaced by the brightness of God’s presence and the hope of a new beginning.
I recently listened to an interview with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, where he addressed permissible conversations and censorship. He noted that sorting through disinformation, hate speech, bots, and unpopular viewpoints is a daily struggle. Acknowledging the challenge of objectivity, he remarked, “It’s really hard to be objective and tell what the real truth is.”
This got me thinking about the nature of truth and light. No matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes or how many fact-checkers we enlist, the ultimate truth can only come from one source—God.
What does truth have to do with light? Everything—when we’re talking about Jesus. In Him, absolute truth and light merge under one ultimate authority. Darkness conceals and distorts, but light reveals and clarifies—whether we’re addressing sin, treasures, or icons. Light is another expression of God’s glory, and Jesus is our source of illumination, guiding us out of darkness into the radiant hope of eternal life. The light He provides isn’t merely physical; it embodies God’s truth and abiding presence.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12
Light symbolizes truth, knowledge, and the path to salvation. Jesus declares to be the ultimate source of these things and all things. In a world clouded by sin and misunderstanding, He offers clarity and direction. Jesus promises His followers a victory over the sin, ignorance, and spiritual death of darkness. By following Him, we can escape the grip of these destructive forces and experience the life-giving truth He offers. His call to follow isn’t just a casual, matter-of-fact choice of words in a speech; It’s an invitation to commit to living a life that aligns with His teachings, example, and mission. It involves a personal relationship with Him, guided by faith, love, and obedience to God’s will. Following Jesus transforms every aspect of our lives—our priorities, values, and relationships—and calls us to be His disciples, sharing His message and living out His love. In doing so, we become a light to the world.
Theologian DA Carson wrote, “Jesus is the light of the world, not just a light, and not just the light of Israel. He is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).”
We may not see our future, direction, or destination, but Jesus does. Though we cannot see God, we witness His glory through His Son. Just as a lighthouse guides a ship, Jesus leads us toward God’s light. In Matthew 5:14–16, He calls His followers “the light of the world,” impossible to hide. We have an active role in shining this light. If you’ve ever known someone who radiates the glory of Christ—whose radiance endures through loss, legal troubles, illness, infidelity, or job loss—you’ve seen that nothing can separate them from “the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
If we have Christ in us, then being the light means doing our best to live each day with purpose and in a way that’s pleasing to God. It’s about looking for opportunities to be more like Jesus, to lift others, and to do the right thing by Christ’s example. Three friends, each at a different stage in life, shared their understanding of Jesus’ “I AM” statement about being the light of the world. One friend interpreted it as “Keeping the faith and loving one another.” Another friend believed the light “can’t be hidden, and you will see it everywhere.” A third friend reflected, “Allah, Muhammad, and Buddha all refer to their preachings for walking in the light, the coming of light, etc… but none other than Jesus refers to being the light. Light for me is hope, forgiveness, and salvation. It is the symbol of the cross, the ultimate sacrifice for forgiveness, and the promise for eternal life.”
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3
Life Applications:
- Discover the joy of walking in the light of truth by embracing Jesus as the source of truth and guidance in all areas of your life. Actively seek and strive to live according to His teachings. By aligning your life with God’s Word, you can avoid the darkness of confusion, error, and sin.
- Experience the freedom that comes from overcoming sin and darkness by inviting Jesus to illuminate and transform the dark areas of your life. Sin and darkness can lead to a life filled with fear, guilt, and despair. By following Jesus, you are given the light of life, which helps you see your sins clearly and repent.
- When you walk in the light of truth, you become a beacon of light to others. Reflect Jesus’ light in your interactions with others. We are called to be a light to the world, just as He is. Live a life characterized by the light and love Jesus showed the world. Doing so can help others see the light of Jesus and find their way out of darkness.