Jesus Christ- The Light of the World

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Matthew 2:1-8
Luke 1:76-80

Jesus Christ came to the earth to be a LIGHT to the world- a world that was full of darkness and no hope. Even before He entered the world as that little baby in Bethlehem-- His coming was preceded by light. A special star shown in the heavens, leading the magi to the place where He was. The heavens were filled with a great light when the angels announced to the shepherds that a Savior was born in Bethlehem. In John 8:12 Jesus calls Himself the LIGHT of the world. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in in darkness, but have the light of life."

Truly He came to be a light to a dark and sin-filled world. The light drew men unto Him.  But even more than this-- He called His disciples to also be LIGHT to the world. Matthew 5:14-16 says:"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." In Acts 13: 47 Paul said the gospel was also for a light to the Gentiles-"For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth."

After the resurrection of Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit into believers, God has given us the commission of light. Our lives are to be a light to this dark world. Things will get darker for those who know not Christ, for those who do not follow Christ. We as believers must be that light to them. A light brightens the pathway ahead. It shows the way. The world needs the light that we have. We must let our light shine out to those around us- to show them the way of salvation. As Christ was a light and has given us light, so we must allow that light to shine out from us. How do we do that? A lantern with a dirty globe will not give out much light. We must make sure our lives are clean, right and holy before God. We must empty ourselves of all that is earthly, fleshly and worldly and allow the light of His spirit to shine out of us.

The LIGHT OF THE WORLD- Jesus Christ-- and He then called us the LIGHT of the world!

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