The Light of the World
by Fiona Horrobin
In Isaiah 42:6-7 God the Father is talking about God the Son, who is to be ‘a covenant to the people, a light to the nations’. He is ‘to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness’. Could that be me and if so, what does it mean to be blind, to be sitting in darkness and a prisoner? It might mean that there is something good ‘out there’ but I can’t see it. Alternatively, it might mean that I know that something is ‘out there’ which is good but I remain blinded and in the dark. Either way, I am bound and need freedom.
The Gospel of Jesus is good news! He has come with His light which will shine in on our darkness and incomprehension. His light will open up the prison of our confusion and our inability to see. He offers us the gift of sight! When driving recently, I battled with being blinded by the full glare of the sun coming through my window screen. I needed to slow down immediately as there was a great danger to my judgement. What a relief when the direction changed and I could see!
Being bound and in a dark place is dangerous. A person who is physically blinded learns how to rely on others or on their guide dog to guide them safely through life. We all need the light of the Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit to guide and lead us away from danger and into safety and security. We all have serious blind spots. These could be prejudices – opinions and judgements which come from our own limitations. Or, we have subconsciously adapted our character and behaviour in order to meet other people’s approval. Alternatively we may have developed defences – attitudes which force others into submission. Maybe our temper, our unworthiness or our pride has controlled people? Pure selfishness can be at the root of our own misery.
When we own these things and bring them to the Light of the World (in Jesus), His light can come in and the blindness gives way and becomes sight! What a gift to embrace and what a time of year to receive it. The work of the Holy Spirit is to bring enlightenment and truth to us. Why would we want to suppress this? As I have been working on writing this Seed of the Kingdom, we have suddenly had a power cut here at home! God is really speaking! Everything is darkened and I am almost blinded save the slight bit of daylight left as it is fast going dark outside. When the light goes on again, my eyes will need re-adjustment to the light. When we have been in darkness we become accustomed to it and live accordingly. When the light goes on again it takes time for our eyes to adjust. The Lord Jesus is wanting to bring His light into our lives, helping us to make sense of the darkened room within and to bring the freedom and gift of sight to us wherever we might need it today.
Let’s ask today for His light to lift off the scales of our blindness and blind spots. It is in asking Jesus to do this that a whole new perception, a whole new viewpoint, a whole new behaviour, a whole new world opens up to us. Our disability is changed by His ability, our limitation is changed by his freedom and our character is changed by His beauty.
Prayer: Jesus, You are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD and I come to Your light and exchange it for my darkness. Open my blinded eyes that I may see! Amen.
Fiona Horrobin has been a key part of pioneering the work of Ellel Ministries International. From over twenty years experience of ministering into broken lives, she is passionate to see healing as integral to discipleship and Christian growth.
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