"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." (Luke 19:10 NLT)
“Mom, what’s that light shining into the sky?” My son pointed toward a wide bright column in the distance that beamed heavenward from the ground.
“I don’t know, Buddy.” I barely looked in its direction.
“We should follow it to see what it’s for.”
“Nah, we need to get home.” A million things on my to-do list clamored for attention. A detour in the heavy traffic would eat into my plans.
“Come on, please. It won’t take long. You never know what we’ll find.” Stuart’s wheedling prodded my sense of adventure. He knew which buttons to push.
I cut across several lanes to make a turn toward the distant light. From there, we zigzagged through town until we finally found the source.
“It’s a church with a living Nativity!” I pulled up into the crowded lot and parked. “That’s not what I was expecting to find.”
We climbed out of the car and pressed into the throng of people who followed a path toward the stream of light.
As we walked, we encountered live actors who portrayed different people from the biblical narrative of the night Jesus was born. Our tour of Bethlehem culminated at the stable where Mary cradled her precious bundle. The spotlight positioned behind the crude resting place illuminated the night sky. Particles in the frosty air shimmered and sparkled as if celebrating the Savior’s special day.
“To think I almost missed this,” I murmured to no one in particular as we returned to the car, cups of hot chocolate warming our frozen fingers.
The searchlight streaming for all to see reminds me of Jesus, who called Himself the Light of the world. John wrote, “His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4-5 NLT).
The spiritual darkness of our world—sin—permeates all creation, including the deepest recesses of every human heart. Hurricanes, earthquakes, and even the weeds that grow among our flowers evidence corruption. Sin also brought on illness and physical death in living creatures. Even worse, it stamps a verdict of guilty upon us all and condemns us to eternal punishment.
Jesus came into our desolate world and shone His light for all to see. Yet not everyone comes to Him. Just as I turned away from the searchlight that evening toward my own agenda, many rejected the Lord Jesus. Some think they know better than God and claim His authority for themselves. Others rely on their own deeds rather than on Jesus’ gift of perfect righteousness. And some fear the exposure of their sin in His light. All, like lost sheep, have gone astray and chosen to navigate through life without light.
I’m thankful I chose to allow my son to persuade me to follow the bright beacon. Once I turned my heart toward finding the source, the light guided me right to the Nativity. Jesus does the same for us. He came to earth on a search mission—"to seek and save those who are lost” (John 19:10 NLT). His heart of compassion reaches out to each one who stumbles through life trapped in darkness. He wants to rescue those who are dead in their sins. His light brings life to all who will receive Him.
If you desire to live in Jesus’ presence, His light will guide you to Him. There you can confess Jesus as your Lord and admit your sins. He will give you the gift of new life and everlasting light that reveals God to you. You will never walk in spiritual darkness again because nothing can douse Jesus’ light.
Where do you stand in proximity to the Light of the world? Are you at a distance wondering what’s going on “over there?” If so, I hope you’ll turn your heart toward the Source and receive the eternal life and light of Jesus.
If you have received the Light of the World as your Savior, stay in the center of His spotlight. When you remain in His presence, His light shines through you to attract others to Him.
Let’s pray.
Father, I am grateful for Jesus, whose light penetrates my darkness and cleanses the most stubborn sins from my heart. When I come to His light, I find satisfaction, joy, and peace. Please help me to set aside anything in my life that might distract me from the light of Your presence. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/kevron200
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Originally published Tuesday, 24 December 2024.
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