Light of the World
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” John 17:20
Did you know that while Jesus was here on earth, He prayed for you and me? We have this prayer recorded in the Bible, and every time I read it, it amazes me that while Jesus was on earth, He was thinking not only about the people He loved who were there with Him, but also about you and me. The entire prayer can be found in John 17. If you haven’t read this prayer before, what do you think Jesus asked the Father for?
Spoiler alert! There are three major things Jesus prayed for: (1) protection from the enemy, because He isn’t taking us out of the world yet—He wants us to be a light in it; (2) unity among believers—in fact, that is how the world will know we are from Him; and (3) He expressed His desire for us to be with Him one day in all His glory.
Have you ever walked into a room that felt heavy? Maybe you accidentally walked in on an argument or visited a friend after their loved one passed. In contrast, have you ever walked into a room and felt a tangible peace—the presence of God? I notice this most during corporate worship, but I’ve also felt it in other places, like when I pray on my own or when I walk into the homes of friends and loved ones.
When we walk into situations where there is darkness or grief, it’s tempting to forget who we are and respond like thermometers, allowing our surroundings to change us. However, Jesus wants us to be thermostats instead—carrying the tangible peace of His powerful presence wherever we go. In a world full of darkness and division, His presence in us is expressed through unity and hope. Instead of calling us thermostats (since air conditioning didn’t exist in His day), Jesus referred to us as being salt and light in the world.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
While Jesus has us here for now, He doesn’t want this to be our forever home. One day, He’s coming back for us! But for now, we can hold our heads high, confident that He is protecting us as He sends us out into the darkness to display His glorious light.
For further reflection, take a moment to read the full chapter of John 17 today and reflect on how much Jesus loves and thinks of you.
