Light of Men

John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” These are the words Jesus immediately spoke to those who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery. He had silenced them by His silence, and His actions compelled them not to kill the woman who committed a sin. In essence, He helped bring light to their hearts.

Jesus had said earlier in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

His demonstration of mercy towards a sinful person sheds light on God’s desire. 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands…”

Nehemiah 9:17, “You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore, You did not desert them, even when they [rebelled]”

Hosiah 6:6, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

For centuries before Jesus’ arrival, God had revealed the kind of heart that would make a difference in people. Therefore, God wanted His creation to love Him wholeheartedly. Jesus’ demonstration of mercy to the woman caught in a sin, was like shining a light on a better way to live – for the woman,
“Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” But His response obviously shed light on her accusers as well – they dropped their rocks on the ground.

Light exposes the dark corners of our agendas and motives (John 1:4-5). That’s why Paul said in Ephesians 5:11, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Jesus did that, many times; and each time pointed towards God’s heart and desire. We are called to know and understand His will, which is full of light.

Before God made all the things man (and animals) would need to sustain life on earth, He said, “Let there be light!” That’s where we must start. We serve as ambassadors of Christ modeling our actions after His, and by doing so we shed the light of God onto the world. 1 John 1:5-7, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”