During December, my morning devotional has examined themes of light and darkness in the Bible, appropriately focusing this week on Jesus as the Light of the world. I’ve been recalling a worship song, “Here I Am to Worship,” an oldie but goodie by Tim Hughes that begins with “Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness, opened my eyes, helped me see.” Another line says, “Humbly You came to the earth You created,” describing what happened at the first Christmas when Jesus left the splendor of heaven to enter the earth in a human body.
It’s interesting that John’s gospel begins by describing Jesus as “the Word,” but later records Jesus’ words, “I am the Light of the world.” Psalm 119: 105 tells us, “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” just as Jesus came to show us the way to the Father. The inspired words of Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s presence continue to show the way to live as followers of Christ.
We must be careful, though. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, the Apostle Paul warns that Satan masquerades as an “angel of light.” This started early on, as Satan tempted Eve in the garden of Eden by offering knowledge that God had supposedly withheld from her, and she and Adam fell for it, rather than walking contentedly with God in the paradise He had created for them.
Occasionally, God’s light shines brightly for humans. Moses was permitted to see just a glimpse of God’s glory, and his face glowed so that the Israelites were not able to look directly at him. Jesus revealed himself to Paul in light so bright that Paul was temporarily blinded, getting his attention so he was willing to listen to the message, both directly from Jesus and further explanation sent through an obedient believer, Ananias. Light often comes more subtly, but consistently, from time spent studying God’s word, listening to trustworthy Spirit-led teaching, and allowing the Holy Spirit to use the Word to illuminate the path forward.
The enemy is still up to his old tricks—masquerading as an angel of light. I frequently see people sidetracked by fast-talking TikTok or YouTube “influencers” claiming to “refute” true biblical teaching with some new interpretation, rather than taking time to study and research and evaluate the material. Paul’s warning to Timothy still applies: “Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge . . . .” (1 Timothy 6:20).
Through the holiday season, I’m more thankful than ever that Jesus did come as light to a dark world. As we prepare to enter the new year, there are difficult circumstances all around us, but Jesus promised to be with his followers “to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). I’m challenging myself to slow down and allow God’s Word to be a light to my path.
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