I Am the Light of the World

“I Am the Light of the World”

-John 8:12

One of the first gospel hymns I learned in my formative years is a hymn composed by Phillip P. Bliss entitled, “The Light of the World is Jesus.”  I first learned this hymn in Sunday school. The organist in my father’s church was also my 4th grade Sunday School teacher. Ms. Betty loved the hymns and wanted us to capture the meaningful messages contained in the hymns. The words to the hymn are:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
Like sunshine at noonday,
His glory shone in,
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Refrain:
Come to the light, 'tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see;
The Light of the world is Jesus!

No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world Jesus!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!

One of my favorite childhood memories was of the time my maternal grandfather took me on a trip to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It was the first time I had ever seen a lighthouse. Granddaddy explained the purpose of the lighthouse and from that day on I had a better understanding of the purpose of a lighthouse. The lighthouse is placed on the shoreline of a beach to help the ships out at sea find their way into safe harbor. I see our Lord as one who plays the role of lighthouse in terms of our spiritual life. I cannot count the number of times in my life’s journey that I needed the assistance of Jesus – The Light of the World! Truly many times over Jesus our Lord has been the lighthouse in my life that has aided in my finding safe passage into harbor. I am grateful to be able to come to the light that is shining for us especially during those dark nights of the soul. Thanks be to God for providing for us the light we need for the time.

     Submitted by the Reverend Dr. John A. Walker