l The following post is based on our "Why Jesus? series" across C3 Sydney's 11 Locations l
l “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 (NLT) l
Life without light is difficult
We know how important light is: We are reminded whenever there is an evening blackout and we are scrabbling around our homes in the dark. Our eyes only reflect physical light so in darkness they do not work. Jesus is the light (John 8:12). In Genesis we read about how Jesus came as a physical light bringing light to our eyes but in the New Testament we see how He is our spiritual light bringing light to our souls. Without Jesus we are reaching around in spiritual darkness unable to get to God (John 14:6).
Christ is the light that helps us see
There is always more to learn about God, we can keep growing our whole lives. Jesus is the Word and in the Bible we see Him, the son of God, transforming lives. His life has changed the world. Countless lives and societies have been transformed by this book over the past 2,000 years. There is power in following Jesus.
Who God is
We can look for God through nature, through religion, through humanity, but God has revealed the complete picture of who He is by His Son. Through His teaching, His life, His death and resurrection Jesus has fully revealed God's true nature. One of fierce love, mercy and kindness. If we know Jesus, we know the father’s love and can have a restored relationship with Him (John 3:16-17). When we have a restored relationship with God, He shows us how to have a restored relationship with the rest of the world. We are called to have healthy functioning relationships, to love one another and change the world (John 13:34).
Light shines the way (John 1:4-5)
We don’t just need light to see where we are but to see where we’re going. Jesus shines to show us the way. Our world has new ways of doing things all the time. We are looking for ways to make things better. Jesus offers us a radical transformation of our bodies, relationships, finances and emotions when you let in His light. John says “to anyone” there is the invitation to become children of God but we need to accept and receive the light (John 1:9-13).
Who we are
Accepting Jesus is the first step in a process. When you have a vision for your children, that one day they will be healthy adults contributing to society, you don’t expect them to achieve this when they are five month's old. Each day we walk forward, working out the vision, growing towards our goals. When you start a new job, your job satisfaction and effectiveness in the role depends upon you continuing to grow and not staying where you were on the first day. As God’s children we are on a walk with Jesus.
When something works you want to tell everybody, like a new app that improves our productivity. We reach out to the world not to annoy people, we’re just excited. Jesus’ light is for sharing with the world (Matt 5:14–16).
Something to talk about:
1. What does it mean to me that Jesus is here for light?
2. Have you ever had a “lightbulb moment” that dramatically changed your perspective?
3. What is Jesus’ light doing in your life today that you are excited to tell others about?
