the light of life

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com)

Jer. 8:18-9:6; Rom. 5:1-11; John 8:12-20

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Discipleship, walking after Jesus, following him, gives to the follower the light of life. Even when all seems darkness, we have the light of life. Even when we can't see where the next step will land, he is with us; he promises to never leave or forsake us.

The "light of life": this is the light which is characterized by life, or has the quality of life; and it is the life which is light and sheds light. It helps us see clearly, gives us true vision. And it is that abundant and eternal life that brings everything into proper perspective. This is what following Jesus gives us.

When we have that light of life, when we are indeed at peace with God because we are in right relationship through trusting him, then even amidst suffering we can rejoice because God's love is poured into our hearts. We can see that suffering is not the end, it is not final, it is defeated and yet a servant of the Victor in bringing us to glory.

Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ,
for his suffering, and for ours,
for his victory,
for his peace, for his joy,
for his life, for his light.