‘Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.”’ (v35) John 12:35–46
Christmas is a season of light, from Christmas trees to gaudy house extravaganzas. These all symbolise Jesus, the light of the world, arriving with the gospel message that sin is defeated and we are free to follow and worship God.
However, the invitation is not one we can ignore. Too often we push it to the back of our mind and concentrate on other interests in life. Yet, as with every invitation, there is an expiry date. Once that day arrives, we are plunged back into darkness and, with the best will in the world, discovering Jesus afresh becomes very difficult.
Jesus’ simple invitation was, ‘follow me’, which the first disciples accepted as their heart response at the moment of its utterance (Luke 5:27–28). We cannot delay because we don’t know what tomorrow might bring. We all have experience of just how suddenly our world gets turned upside down. Only God can return it right side up.
So don’t delay. Always follow the intuition of your heart when it comes to Jesus, who is forever seeking to remain in conversation with you. Too often we are more afraid of what it might mean within our existing network of relationships.
Well, it takes courage to follow Jesus; yet as people found in Jesus’ day, many who wanted to follow Jesus found that they ‘loved human praise more than praise from God’ (v43). Yet human praise fades on the lips that speak it, whilst God’s praise resonates forever.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Isa. 54:1–8; John 1:43–51; Rom. 2:12–29; 1 Cor 4:1–13.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Find a moment on Christmas Day to commit your life once again to the light of the world, Jesus? Life is found in Jesus and Him alone.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, help me to walk in the way of Your truth, ‘my soul yearns for you in the night; and in the morning my spirit longs for you’. Amen.’ (from Isa. 26:7–9)
Photo by KalleKarl on Flickr
