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
As I sat in the courtroom, I witnessed several examples of the brokenness of our world: a daughter estranged from her mother; a husband and wife who’d lost the love they once had and now shared only bitterness; a husband who yearned to be reconciled with his wife and to be reunited with his children. They desperately needed changed hearts, healed wounds, and for God’s love to prevail.
Sometimes when the world around us seems to hold only darkness and despair, it’s easy to give in to despair. But then the Spirit, who lives inside believers in Christ (John 14:17), reminds us that Jesus died for that brokenness and pain. When He came into the world as a human, He brought light into the darkness (1:4–5; 8:12). We see this in His conversation with Nicodemus, who furtively came to Jesus in the cover of darkness but left impacted by the Light (3:1–2; 19:38–40).
Jesus taught Nicodemus that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (3:16).
Yet even though Jesus brought light and love into the world, many remain lost in the darkness of their sin (vv. 19–20). If we’re His followers, we have the light that dispels darkness. In gratitude, let’s pray that God will make us beacons of His love (Matthew 5:14–16).
Read: John 3:1-2, 16-20 (NIV)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
3 1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemusb who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.c
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi,d we knowe that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signsf you are doing if God were not with him.”g
16 For God so lovedw the world that he gavex his one and only Son,y that whoever believesz in him shall not perish but have eternal life.a
17 For God did not send his Son into the worldb to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.c
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,d but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.e
19 This is the verdict: Lightf has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.g
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.h
INSIGHT
- When has your hope been renewed through remembering that God loves you?
- How can you share Christ’s light with others?
The theme of light versus darkness is fundamental to John’s telling of the story of Jesus in John’s gospel and is also prominent in his letters. In 1 John 1:5, we’re reminded that God Himself is light—so it follows that those who put their faith in Christ are seen as “children of light” (John 12:35–36). Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe says that “the coming of Jesus Christ into the world was the dawning of a new day for sinful man” for Jesus, the Light of the World (8:12; 9:5), would conquer the powers of darkness. The problem in the arrival of this light that Jesus came to bring is humanity’s response—or lack thereof: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1:5). Nevertheless, as Jesus gave sight to a man born blind (ch. 9), He can bring light into our darkness as well.
PRAYER
Thank You, God, for coming to save me from the darkness of sin and despair. Help me to remain in Your light. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: John 3:1-2, 16-20 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11
