LIGHT OF THE WORLD
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
~ John 8.12
Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Light of the World. All those who walk in darkness, yet who follow after Him, will no longer walk in darkness. They will have the Light of Life.
Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Following after Jesus means allowing the Light of the World to illuminate the darkness in one’s heart. It means allowing Jesus to shed light on sinful inclinations. It means letting Jesus’ light pierce the darkness of the hardness of our hearts. It means letting His light drive out the shadows of doubt and fear.
Take time today to ask the Light of the World to reveal to you those areas of your life that are still steeped in darkness. Ask Him to reveal to you areas that you have yet to allow the Light of the World to access and purge the darkness (Psalm 139.23-24).
Prayer
Jesus, You are the Light of the World. Help me to walk in the Light of Your Truth. Shine Your light in my heart. Show me areas of pride, fear, anxiety, lust, gossip, anger, hate, unforgiveness . . . places where darkness thrives in my heart, mind, and spirit. Let Your Light bring healing and restoration to me. Let me become a secondary light, allowing Your light to shine from me, so that my family, my friends, my neighbors, my colleagues, might see Your light in me. May they find You and begin to walk in Your Light. Amen.
Light of the World (1851-1854)
by William Holman Hunt
(oil on canvas)
Keble Chapel, Oxford, United Kingdom
William Holman Hunt was a 19th century English pre-Raphaelite artist. He painted three versions of this painting, this one being the first.
In this painting, which is based off Revelation 3.20 and also inspired by John 8.12, Jesus, the Light of the World is knocking on a door. The door has no handle on the outside, has rusted hinges, and is overgrown with ivy. Clearly the door cannot be opened from the outside and no one on the inside has opened the door for some time (or ever at all). Yet Jesus stands before it knocking, desiring the one beyond the door to respond and open it to Him.
Two lights are prominent. The first is around Jesus’ head and the other comes from the lantern. As Jesus is the eternal Light of the World, this is the light of salvation offered to all who would respond. The lantern represents the light of conscience.
At the base of the door and near the feet of Jesus are dying, autumnal plants and fallen fruit, which points to the lateness of the season and the urgency for the door to be opened.
The fallen apples also represent the fallen state of mankind (church tradition erroneously believed apples to the the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil of which Adam and Eve ate, casting all of mankind into a state of fallenness).
Above Jesus’ head is the Morning Star which represents the dawn of a new day. The Kingdom of God has come and the opportunity to open one’s door is fleeting.
The halo around Jesus’ head is a mark of deity and the crown of thorns is a reminder of Jesus’ great sacrifice on our behalf. The bejeweled, scarlet cloak points to Jesus’ status as King of Kings. The small clasp securing the cloak speaks to Jesus’ position as our High Priest (reminiscent of the breast plate of the Jewish high priests).
Jesus looks longingly, His eyes piercing the viewer, as He almost pleads with the viewer to open His heart-door to Him.
The darkness which surrounds Jesus represents the darkness and lostness of the world which so greatly needs the Light of the World.
Hunt was inspired by Jesus’ proclamation of being the light of the world and combined that with the passage in Revelation where Jesus stands knocking at the door of the hearts of those in need of His salvation. The sad reality is that so many will not heed the knocking of Jesus and will keep the door closed.
The Latin phrase above states, “Me non praetermisso, Domine!” which translates to, “Do not pass me by, Lord!” This should be the cry of all those who would open their hearts to Him.
Light of the World (1851-1854)
by William Holman Hunt
(oil on canvas)
Keble Chapel, Oxford, United Kingdom
William Holman Hunt was a 19th century English pre-Raphaelite artist. He painted three versions of this painting, this one being the first.
In this painting, which is based off Revelation 3.20 and also inspired by John 8.12, Jesus, the Light of the World is knocking on a door. The door has no handle on the outside, has rusted hinges, and is overgrown with ivy. Clearly the door cannot be opened from the outside and no one on the inside has opened the door for some time (or ever at all). Yet Jesus stands before it knocking, desiring the one beyond the door to respond and open it to Him.
Two lights are prominent. The first is around Jesus’ head and the other comes from the lantern. As Jesus is the eternal Light of the World, this is the light of salvation offered to all who would respond. The lantern represents the light of conscience.
At the base of the door and near the feet of Jesus are dying, autumnal plants and fallen fruit, which points to the lateness of the season and the urgency for the door to be opened.
The fallen apples also represent the fallen state of mankind (church tradition erroneously believed apples to the the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil of which Adam and Eve ate, casting all of mankind into a state of fallenness).
Above Jesus’ head is the Morning Star which represents the dawn of a new day. The Kingdom of God has come and the opportunity to open one’s door is fleeting.
The halo around Jesus’ head is a mark of deity and the crown of thorns is a reminder of Jesus’ great sacrifice on our behalf. The bejeweled, scarlet cloak points to Jesus’ status as King of Kings. The small clasp securing the cloak speaks to Jesus’ position as our High Priest (reminiscent of the breast plate of the Jewish high priests).
Jesus looks longingly, His eyes piercing the viewer, as He almost pleads with the viewer to open His heart-door to Him.
The darkness which surrounds Jesus represents the darkness and lostness of the world which so greatly needs the Light of the World.
Hunt was inspired by Jesus’ proclamation of being the light of the world and combined that with the passage in Revelation where Jesus stands knocking at the door of the hearts of those in need of His salvation. The sad reality is that so many will not heed the knocking of Jesus and will keep the door closed.
The Latin phrase above states, “Me non praetermisso, Domine!” which translates to, “Do not pass me by, Lord!” This should be the cry of all those who would open their hearts to Him.
Playlist Daily Highlight
Take the time to listen . . . really listen to the words of this song. Reflect on them. Let God’s spirit speak to you in this moment.
