Our Daily Bread -- Light in the Darkness

June 1, 2015

Read: John 12:42-50
Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 15-16; John 12:27-50

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. —John 12:46

During a trip to Peru, I visited one of the many caves found throughout that mountainous country. Our guide told us that this particular cave had already been explored to a depth of 9 miles—and it went even deeper. We saw fascinating bats, nocturnal birds, and interesting rock formations. Before long, however, the darkness of the cave became unnerving—almost suffocating. I was greatly relieved when we returned to the surface and the light of day.

That experience was a stark reminder of how oppressive darkness can be and how much we need light. We live in a world made dark by sin—a world that has turned against its Creator. And we need the Light.

Jesus, who came to restore all of creation—including humanity—to its intended place referred to Himself as that “light” (John 8:12). “I have come as a light into the world,” He said, “that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (12:46).

In Him, we not only have the light of salvation but the only light by which we can find our way—His way—through our world’s spiritual darkness. —Bill Crowder

How have you seen God’s light displayed in our broken world? In what ways have you shared His light?Tell us your answers to these questions at www.odb.org.

When we walk in the Light, we won’t stumble in the darkness.

INSIGHT: The imagery of Jesus as light (v. 46) is the key feature of today's text, but it is also a key feature in the entire gospel of John. In fact, John uses the word light to describe Jesus twenty times, clustered into several key parts of the book: chapter 1 (six times), chapter 3 (five times), chapters 8-9 (three times), and chapter 12 (six times). In each instance, except for references in chapter 1, Jesus is the one speaking, using light as a self-portrait.

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