The Bible verse for VBS this year is John 8:12. Jesus says “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
Light is an important theme in the Bible. God’s first command in Scripture is, “Let there be light” (see Genesis 1:3). After that, light is often used as a symbol for God and his truth throughout the Bible.
Once God liberated the Israelite slaves from Egypt, he went before them as a pillar of fire at night, a light in the darkness guiding them to the Promised Land. Once in the Promised Land, King David of Israel wrote in praise to God, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised to send the Messiah. He would be, “a light for the nations” (see Isaiah 49:6). Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He is God’s light for the nations. God sent him to be the light for our path, the one we can follow to the ultimate Promised Land, heaven itself, where the Bible assures us that we will “not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb,” Jesus (see Revelation 21:23).
Jesus says that he is the light of the world, not just the light for any one group, not even merely for his chosen people Israel. The prophet Isaiah was speaking to Israel when he told them God’s word about their Messiah, that he would be a light for the nations, God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. They would share the light with the world.
Jesus promises that anyone who follows him will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. No matter what our background or what our past mistakes and sins may be, Jesus calls us to follow him and avoid the spiritual darkness in this world.
Following Jesus means being his disciple, learning from him and becoming more like him. As we follow him, he enables us to avoid the darkness of this age, the deception and destruction that have corrupted the world around us. This includes making the wise choices that keep us from falling into spiritual ruin.
More than avoiding the darkness, by following Jesus we can have the light of life. This includes morality and ethics, doing the right thing. But it also includes a personal response to the Lord, worshiping and serving him, not just following a set of rules.
When Jesus first spoke these words, hostile religious leaders began criticizing him. They desperately wanted to embarrass him in public and destroy his reputation and popularity with the people who were following him or considering doing so.
Despite their best efforts, people were persuaded by Jesus and became his followers. Despite the distressing spiritual darkness of our world today, Jesus still calls on people with the same promise. He is the light of the world. Anyone can choose to follow him and enjoy the light of life.
Jesus also told his followers that they are the light of the world (see Matthew 5:14). His light in us is not only for us, it is for the nations, including our own nation, including our own community. Jesus’ light shines in us and through us to reach others.
VBS is a powerful tool for shining Jesus’ light on children at Grace Baptist and in Camden. Pray for God to bless our efforts again this year as we call on others to join us in following Jesus, avoiding the darkness, and enjoying the light of life!
May God’s Spirit inspire and empower us to reflect his great light,
Brother Richard Foster
brotherrichardsblog.com 