May 15, 2025

Gospel of John 8, 12

Jesus, the light of the world

Jesus said: ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ 

Dear Reader,

today I would like to show you a stamp with a painting created by the German artist Otto Pankok. “Sun and Sea” is the title of the picture on the stamp. The painter beautifully shows how the clouds are pushed aside by the rays of the sun. While the sun is reflected in the sea. You may know such wonderful experiences from your own life. Moments that make you want to linger for quite some time.  Moments in which the soul can recharge its batteries. The sun is not only reflected in the gently lapping waves, but also in your thoughts and feelings.

Quite often, sun and light have the same meaning to me. When Jesus says that “He is the light of the world”, the sun comes to mind quite often. There is not a single light on this planet that could illuminate the whole world. Only the sun is able to achieve just that. 

Now, every child knows that the sun will be shining even when you can't see it. Be it at night or when thick rain clouds cover the sky. The painter beautifully shows how the dark clouds have to give way to the powerful rays of sunlight. The sun prevails. For me, this is also an image of faith in God. Because the Lord Jesus Christ can dissolve all clouds like scraps of paper in the air. The clouds of hopelessness and resignation must give way to his light. Where Jesus, as the light of the world, illuminates life with his power, the clouds of sadness and desolation must give way. When Jesus, the light of the world, shines into my little world, then all the clouds that want to cover Him up give way.

In 1647, the German pastor Paul Gerhardt wrote an evening hymn that we Christians still sing today. It is the song “Nun ruhen alle Wälder” (original language title). Paul Gerhardt was a witness of the so-called “Thirty years' War”, which had covered the whole of Europe with death and destruction. In the face of this suffering, he sings in the second verse: 

„Where have you gone, sun? The night has driven you away, the night, the enemy of the day. Go, another sun, my Jesus, my delight, shines brightly into my heart. “

Jesus, the light of the world, should shine into his heart. This is my wish as well and I do wish the same for you! Because Jesus Christ wants to shine with his light into every heart. He wants to drive away the dark thoughts. Jesus, the light of the world, wants to bring his peace and tranquility into every heart. He wants to disperse the clouds of worry like wafts of mist. 

Without the sun, there is no life on our earth. And it is my conviction: Without Jesus Christ, the light of the world, there is no real life. People living without Jesus, the light of the world, live in a dark world. The “cloud cover” of selfishness, discord, hatred, envy, vengefulness and many other things try to push themselves in front of Jesus, this sun of love and mercy.

Now what dispels these clouds and clears the way for the Lord Jesus, the light of the world? It is your personal prayer! If dark thoughts burden your heart, then please do as Paul Gerhardt did: ask Jesus Christ to fill your heart with his light and let peace and tranquility come in. 

Thank you very much for visiting me and listening to me. May God bless you in spirit, soul and body. May He dispel all the dark clouds in your heart. May the peace of God be with you. I look forward to seeing you at the next short sermon on June 1, 2025.