We had a full moon Sunday night, February 1. I saw the moon outside our window and marveled at the brightness. As I went outside the cold hit me, it was about 16 degrees when I took this picture. The snow was reflecting the light of the moon so it was very bright outside. The silhouette of the bare tree branches and their shadows made a beautiful image.

It was cold yet I was drawn to the silent beauty and lingered outside taking in the brightness of the moon and the shadows created by the shining full moon. The moon has no light source of its own, it is a cold dark rock orbiting around our planet. The moon reflects the light from the sun, which at this full stage of its phases is so bright that it glows. The reflected light spread all around making it seem like day instead of night.

I hear many people saying how “dark” our world seems now. If we read or listen to the news it IS dark in many ways. There are wars and rumors of war. There is violence and rebellion all over the world and even within our very own nation. I won’t dwell on the darkness except to acknowledge that it is evident if we open our eyes.

Jesus came to earth in a time full of darkness. The Roman empire controlled Palestine as part of the vast area under its domain. Roman soldiers would do as they pleased to maintain their authority and everyone lived in fear. We may feel our world is a fearful place now and it certainly is for many people. Sin always results in darkness. In John chapter 8 Jesus has just been confronted by the Pharisees who challenged with his authority. Jesus has been teaching and spreading a message of hope and redemption.

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Jesus came to bring LIGHT into the darkness. Jesus is the source of the Light. In the passage of Scripture we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His followers that they are the Light of the world. Just as Jesus shines in the darkness of this world, when we become followers of Jesus, he shines his light through us. Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

That beautiful moon has no light source of its own – it reflects the light of the sun. We humans have no light source of our own – we reflect the Light of the Son – Jesus, when we accept him as Savior and Lord. We must let our Light shine in the darkness of our world knowing as John says in John 1 – ” 4 The Word (Jesus) gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.“

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!!