There is a profound sense in which these words of Jesus speak to us today. The light of Jesus comes to us through the Scriptures, and each of us has it for “a little while.” What will you do with the light you have received?

Suppose that you and some friends decide to explore a cave. It is like a labyrinth. Every few yards there is a fork, and you have to decide, left, right, or straight. After a couple of hours, you and your friends are lost. Your torches grow dim and go out. Darkness has overtaken you.

Hours pass. You and your friends sit in silence. Then, someone sees a point of light. As it comes closer, you can see a person. A bright light shines from his helmet, but it’s as if his whole face is full of light. He says, “Follow me.”

As the man begins to move, the light around you becomes less, and if you want to have the light you need to follow Him. “Come on!” you say to your friends. “We have to follow the light!”

“But who knows where he will lead us?” one of them says. “I’d rather try and find my own way out.”

“But without Him you’ll be stumbling around in the darkness,” you say.

A shadow is coming over your friends, and soon it will be over you. You have to make a choice. What will you do? “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you” (12:35).

What will you do with the light you have received?

The human story can be described in four eras. And in each of them, the light of Jesus shines in a different way.

Moonlight
“You search the Scriptures... and it is they that bear witness about me” (Jn. 5:39). In the Old Testament era, Jesus was there, but He was not seen directly, like the light of the sun reflected by the moon. The law shows us why we need Jesus. The sacrifices show what we needed Him to do. The promises show what He would accomplish when He came.

Floodlight
“I am the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). The coming of Jesus Christ was like a burst of light in this dark world. But men loved darkness rather than light. Jesus was opposed at every stage of His ministry. It should not surprise us when we find that the world is a dark place.

Starlight
“Be blameless and innocent... in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights” (Phil. 2:15). Christian believers who hold fast to the Word of Life shine like lights in the world. God’s plan is that people will see the light of Christ through His people.

Sunlight
“The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Mal. 4:2). One day, we will see the full light of the sun. The Lord Jesus Christ will return in power and glory. “Night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light” (Rev. 22:5). We will live in the light of the presence of the Lord forever.

In what ways can you be starlight to the world around you?

What does a more abundant life look like? It is a life with:

More peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (14:27). Jesus can give more peace than any of us has yet received.

More love. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (15:13). Jesus has more love to give than any of us has yet known.

More joy. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (15:11). Jesus can give more joy than any of us have yet experienced.

More faith. “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus can give more faith than any of us has yet exercised.

More repentance. Repentance is the means by which we become more like Jesus, saying “no” to worldly passions and “yes” to upright, self-controlled, and godly lives. Jesus can give a deeper repentance than any of us has yet discovered.

More strength. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Jesus can give more strength than any of us has yet enjoyed.

More hope. “This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:21-23). Jesus can give us the hope that we need.

Which of these blessings do you feel you need more of right now?