Jesus, Light of the World

by Andy Cokayne 2 June 2021

Over the years when on holiday, lighthouses have often played a big part. Whether it was when we were in the far north of Scotland listening to the booming foghorns in the sea mist from the lighthouses at Dunnet Head and Duncansby Head. Or when in Jersey walking down to Corbiere lighthouse to watch the sunset. Or when at Seahouses in Northumberland looking out over the sea to watch the lights from the two lighthouses on the Farne Islands. Their role is clear, to bring light when all around is darkness, and so warn passing ships of danger.

While for many lifting of the ‘Lockdown’ restrictions, brings hope and an end to isolation. Yet for others it brings more uncertainty and further worries, and so leaves them in a dark place. “It would be great to see a light at the end of the tunnel”, we say, if we are going through tough times. Whether we like it or not, we all go through dark places. When we rely on our own resources, or on our friends, to get us through, we can be left despairing. Job when going through the toughest of times, when all of his life had fallen apart, was joined by his three friends, his ‘comforters’. Yet rather than help, they appeared to compound his problems, making what was already dark even darker, putting questions over his very faith in God. Yet he persevered and saw that God was with him through it all.

Jesus said “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8 v12). Jesus dispels darkness. When we are going through dark times, we have one who we can rely on to bring light, no matter how dark the place we are in. Jesus can be like a lighthouse, giving light when all around seems darkness and danger, giving hope when all around is despair, giving direction when all around seems chaos.