Jesus, Light of the world

April 15

John's Gospel 8, 12+13

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’

Matthew 5:14

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Dear Readers,

today's stamps help me to understand Jesus better. The stamp from Germany dated 1970 symbolizes a shining cross. The Norwegian stamp shows a historical lighthouse.

Jesus says that he is the light of the world. His words have radiance. They bring light into every life. I think the stamp wants to demonstrate that. What Jesus Christ says is filled with the radiance of truth. His words are free from any manipulation. Jesus Christ brings light into thoughts and feelings. He frees from the power of sin. He died on the cross and carried the burden of sin that lies on every human being. No human being in this world is free from sin, no matter how human somebody may be. Without Jesus Christ, the heart remains dark.

Whoever entrusts his life on to the Lord Jesus Christ will be set free to live a new life, as it pleases God. This should be the experience for all people. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the best news of all times! The wording on the stamp says: "The Gospel to all nations". This is the mission for all Christians.  

The Norwegian stamp has no Christian message. It simply shows a very beautiful lighthouse. But to me, this is an image with high symbolic power. As Jesus says: We as Christians are supposed to be the light of the world. This is a gigantic mission! Who can be such a lighthouse of faith?

This tall, white lighthouse can certainly be visible for miles around. It is 27 meters high. During the day, you can surely see this tall tower from a long distance. And at night, its light shines far out to sea. Lighthouses are supposed to give ships orientation and safety. They point out to possible dangers.

Jesus instructs his people to give orientation and security to others like a lighthouse. They should be "visible" to all, like a city on top of a mountain. I assume that there were no lighthouses in Israel two thousand years ago. That is why Jesus used the image of the city on the mountain. But the message is clear: Christians are to make the love of God visible. The gospel is to be proclaimed. It should give orientation and, like a safe harbor, offer protection during the storms of life. Christians are to be a light even in the dark hours that can fall on anyone.

I wish for us Christians that we direct ourselves again to the Lord Jesus Christ and to ask him each day to illuminate our lives with his light. I ask that we Christians can once again become a source of light for our fellow human beings. Let us pass on something of the light of God's compassion, let us bring the radiance of forgiveness and reconciliation into this world.