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The Scriptorium

Light to the World

Light is a powerful image for representing Jesus.

The Gospel of John: John 12.37-50

Read and meditate on John 12.46.
Jesus returns to the theme of light and darkness as a primary trope for thinking about His mission. We need to think more carefully about this image.

 46“I have come to be
a light unto the world, that all who trust
in Me shall not abide in darkness.”

- John 12.46

Reflect
1.  Light, we know, overcomes darkness. What is light, and how does it do that? Why does this make light a particularly good way of thinking about the mission of Christ? Complete the following prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of my world, showing me…

2.  “Darkness” is frequently used in Scripture to represent the world apart from God. Why is this such a powerful image? What is suggested about darkness that makes it not the way things are supposed to be? I know many people who live in darkness, Lord, and I pray for them, that…

3.  Recall your life when you were abiding in darkness. What was that like? Was it pleasant? Was your life then to be preferred to your life now, in the light of Jesus? What difference has the light of Jesus made in your life? Lord Jesus, thank You for delivering me from darkness, for…

4.  When light comes into a dark room, the photons of light fill every corner to varying degrees, depending on distance from the light and strength of the light source. Darkness cannot stand against light, and this is a theme John has been applying to Jesus since John 1.1-5. Mediate on Ephesians 1.22, 23 and 4.8-10. How does thinking about Jesus as light help us understand what Paul teaches here? What are the implications of this for your soul, and for your Personal Mission Field? Lord Jesus, fill all my soul with Your light! Radiate Your light from me so powerfully and consistently that…

5.  What did Jesus say was the criterion for no longer abiding in darkness? How, using your own experience, would you explain what this means to a friend or co-worker who is in the darkness? How do you hope to increase the light of Jesus in you, so that it shines into the darkness of the world more powerfully and more consistently? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“All saints are lights, but they are illuminated by Christ through faith, and everyone that becomes separated from him will be enveloped in darkness. But that light that enlightens them cannot become separated from itself. For it is altogether beyond the reach of change. We believe, then, the light that has thus been lit is the prophet or apostle. But we believe him for this end, that we may not believe on that which is itself enlightened, but, with him, on that light that has given him light. Then we too may be enlightened, not by him, but along with him by the same light as he. And when he says, ‘That whoever believes on me may not abide in darkness,’ he makes it sufficiently clear that all have been found by him in a state of darkness. But so that they do not remain in the darkness in which they have been found, they ought to believe on that light that has come into the world, for that is how the world was created.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

The image of Jesus as light, and us as illuminated by Him, has implications for every aspect of our lives, everywhere the darkness lingers, and the light of life has yet to shine brilliantly forth. Explain.

Closing Prayer
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 27.1-4

Psalm 27.1-6 (Joanna: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
Lord, You are our Light and our Savior most dear!
You guard us with might; therefore, whom shall we fear?
Though evil surround us, our enemies fall;
No harm shall confound us when on You we call.

One thing we request, but to dwell with You, Lord.
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
No foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise!

T. M. Moore

We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from
The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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