PONDER: JESUS is the Light of the World

The people who are now living in darkness have seen a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light has shined on them. Matthew 4:16 (quoting Isaiah 9:1, 2)

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. John 3:19-20

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.” John 8:12

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

They said the Messiah would suffer. He would be the first to rise from the dead. He would bring the message of God’s light. He would bring it to his own people and to the Gentiles. Acts 26:23 (Luke likely referencing Isaiah 53:11.)

Let the person who walks in the dark, trust in the Lord. Let the one who doesn’t have any light to guide them depend on their God. Isaiah 50:10

What words or phrases stand out to you (what is the Spirit highlighting to you)? Why do you think this is?
How would you describe God’s grace and truth? How have experienced it?
What might God be saying to you? To your neighbours?
How might the Spirit be nudging you to respond?

You might want to journal your responses.

PRAYER PROMPTS

O Lord, you are the Word,
spoken from eternity by the Father.
You came to dwell among us
and to lead us with you
to your Father’s house.

You are the Son,
born from eternity of the Father.
You were born among us
to make us your brothers and sisters,
sons and daughters of your Father.

You are the Light,
shining forth from eternity
from the God of Light.
You entered into our darkness
to enlighten us with divine light.

Henri Nouwen

In the 12th Century, Bernard of Clairvaux, who was the founder of the Cistercian order of monks, said that Christ comes to us in three different ways:

firstly, in Bethlehem at Christmas;
secondly, at the end of the age;
and thirdly, in the lives of believers every single day.

So, let us pray for all three of Christ’s comings in this final week of this series.

PRACTICE: GENEROSITY

How has your paying attention to and appreciating signs of God’s grace and generosity been going?
What do you notice?
What are you learning?
What might God be up to?
Continue to add to your ‘inventory’ each day this week.
Perhaps signs of God’s light and glory will also spark your gratitude for God’s grace and generosity.