Who is the Light of the World?

When I was little, I loved to go to the Omniplex, the science museum in town. One of my favorite exhibits was a stationary bike connected to a row of lightbulbs. You could generate electricity with pedal power. The faster you pedaled, the brighter the bulbs. I loved making my own power, but it was hard work after a few minutes. If I’d been dependent on producing my own electricity, I’d have spent a lot of time in the dark.

And sometimes that’s how I feel as I run this race. My light feels pretty feeble.

Jesus more than called us to be the light of the world. He said we are the light of the world. Full stop.

You are the light of the world. – Matthew 5:14a

He also said he’s the light of the world.

I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. – John 8:12

So which is it? Is he the light of the world, or are we the light of the world?

YES.

Look at the end of John 8:12. If we follow him, we have the light of life.

Our light bulb is powered like this:

Not this:

Follow hard after him, and your bulb will be powered by his light. He is the “bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:16) Rather than trying to pedal furiously to make our own light, walk in his light.

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. – 1 John 1:5