The Light Of The World

Scripture:
Matthew 4:12-17 (NASB)

Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
“The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light,
And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a Light dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Devotional:

I just love seeing all the different lights shining and blinking in magnificent displays during the Christmas season.  There are some houses that are lit up, their colors blinking in and out.  Some lights stay on never blinking.  There are white lights, blue, green, red, orange lights.  People go to great lengths to get their lights displayed just right.  

Jesus is the light of the world, and through Him we become that light.  Take a strand of Christmas lights.  All together when plugged in the tree is lit up.  But without the wire connecting them providing power they are dim and dark.  The tree remains in the dark.  Jesus is the power that enables us to light up.  

Christ is the hope of the world and that hope is extended through us.  What is the hope that you bring?  Whose life are you touching?  Christmas is a time of hope, joy, and love.  Jesus loves us so much He came to show us the way.  He came to pay the price of sin.  He did so out of love so that we might have hope and that we may be restored into a righteous relationship with God the Father.  Take time out to share that hope with someone, anyone.  It doesn’t matter if you know them or if they are strangers.   Christmas is coming.  Jesus is the light of the world, and we are the instruments that light shines through…