At the Feast of the Tabernacles, Jesus boldly proclaimed for all to hear: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Jesus was speaking in reference to an important attraction at this Jewish festival of thanks, four large candelabra that illuminated the inner court of the Temple in Jerusalem. This illumination in the temple was a picture of the pillar of fire that had accompanied Israel at night during their desert journey. That pillar was God’s manifestation of Himself. The Jews also regarded the four candelabra as pointing to that “great light” which the people who walked in darkness (Isaiah 9:2) were one day to see. This Messianic light would shine on those living in the land of the shadow of death. With His words, plainly Jesus was revealing to the people gathered at the temple that day, “I am your Messiah in whom alone is salvation! I am your God Almighty!”

Christ’s Light illuminates our own hope! Christ’s Word proclaims our hope for the salvation of many more souls still living under the shroud of death—whether in South America, Ukraine, Latvia, Czech Republic, India, Korea, Australia, or here in our own American communities. Christ has come as the promised Messiah! He has done everything necessary to save sinners! He has risen from the dead proving Himself to be our God!

The Gospel, the news that Christ our Light has made full satisfaction for the just payment of all sins and has rescued us from spiritual and eternal darkness, is anchored in His resurrection from the dead. This is proof-positive to all that God truly has declared each sinner in the world justified—that is, forgiven—as a result of the holy life and the voluntary crucifixion of His Son in our place. The Light, His saving Son whom the darkness could not comprehend, still shines forth wherever the Gospel is proclaimed.

As God on the first day of creation spoke and illuminated the dark mass, so today His Word is powerful as it is uttered by pastors, teachers, missionaries and by individual Christians who proclaim Christ crucified to fellow souls in need. God’s Word will work results when and where the Spirit pleases.

On a dark Fourth of July night, a trained lighter of fireworks cannot be seen as he quickly moves from display to display. Observers can only see a torch or flare moving from spot to spot. But the spark left by the lighter soon becomes a brilliant dazzle in the sky. As bearers of a far grander kind of torch, we do not wish to draw attention to ourselves as lighters. All the attention is to be on the Light: Christ Jesus. But that little spark we share with others will surely culminate in a brilliant splendor on the great day of the resurrection.