Whether you’re driving at night, rummaging in the basement, trying to get your grass mowed before the sun totally sinks, or simply trying to get from your bed to the bathroom at night . . . you need illumination.
Similarly, you need light to –
- Direct your heart.
- Know where to go when you can’t see ahead.
- Know how to respond when things don’t make sense.
Realistically, in many ways, you need illumination.
Tear Into It – Need Illumination?
There are always four categories we explore in Scripture Dissection:
- What Does It Say?
- What Does It Mean?
- Make It Personal.
- Make A Commitment.
1. What Does It Say?
VERSE #1
“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon . . . for the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:23)
VERSE #2
“You are the light of the world.“ (Mt. 5:14a)
VERSE #3
“Indeed, You light my lamp, Lord. My God illuminates the darkness around me.” (Ps. 18:28; 2 Sam. 22:29)
VERSE #4
“. . . everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock . . . He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Mt. 7:24, 29)
That’s what those verses say.
2. What Does It Mean?
VERSE #1
“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon . . . for the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:23)
Jesus, the Lamb, is the lamp of Heaven. He is the illumination of the real world – throughout eternity. Plus, God’s glory is so strong and piercing, it’s like earth’s sun that warms and nurtures everything. This is what you are invited to live in – His illumination. Amazing “sonshine” every day – forever.
VERSE #2
“You are the light of the world.“ (Mt. 5:14a)
Jesus declares you are the light of the world. Remarkably, as you stay in His light, you become like the moon, reflecting the Son’s light. You have power to illuminate Christ into others’ lives around you. They need His light. So – shine!
VERSE #3
“Indeed, You light my lamp, Lord. My God illuminates the darkness around me.” (Ps. 18:28; 2 Sam. 22:29)
Jesus is your individual illumination. He lights your life as you follow Him in this dark world. Essentially, when you look at life through your own eyes, it’s darkness. Contrastingly, when you look at life through God’s eyes, it’s illumination.
VERSE #4
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock . . . He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Mt. 7:24, 29)
Jesus boldly promises if you hear and obey His words, you are wise! Additionally, build your valuable “one-and-only life” on the one and only solid foundation that exists. Christ teaches truth with authority – not like many modern culture teachers, trying to influence people to think “popular thoughts” rather than truth.
That’s what those verses mean.
3. Make It Personal
Incidentally, to truly love Jesus means you focus on Him – the illumination of your life. This includes –
- Big stuff.
- Little stuff.
- Confusing issues.
- Sorrows and sufferings.
- Wonderful moments and memories.
- Relationship problems.
- And anything else you might be experiencing.
In other words, walk close to Jesus to stay in His light. Afterall, He knows what’s best for you. Plus, He fully intends to keep His promises to you. Interestingly, Jesus wants to illuminate your life each day down to the smallest details.
Fix Your Eyes
Scripture teaches, “Fix your eyes on Jesus . . .” (Heb. 12:2) With that focus, let’s explore the key phrases of our verses.
VERSE #1
When you fix your eyes on Jesus, you have the “Light of Heaven” as your illumination. Plus, your eternal future is under the “lamp [of] the Lamb.” FYI, this light guides you safely through this life – and then ushers you into eternity. Remarkably, this way of doing life is “living forward into eternity” starting now.
VERSE #2
Further, you are the light of the world. Remarkably, as you fix your eyes on Jesus, you reflect Him to everyone around you. What an honor! Think about your relationships. What can you do to bring God’s light into others’ troubles and sufferings? Are you living consistently in the Light as a credible example of Jesus?
VERSE #3
Amazingly, you can live in peace during good or bad times because God guides as you fix your eyes on Jesus. When you lack wisdom, are lonely, afraid, overwhelmed, betrayed, not feeling well, and even perhaps dying – Jesus lights your lamp and takes you through every darkness. Jesus is your individual illumination.
VERSE #4
Jesus, the Light of the world, speaks with credibility and authority. He’s not interested in being current or popular. Rather, He wants you to know and build on Him. Further, He wants you to fix your eyes on Jesus and walk in His light. Do this by spending time in Scripture each day. Most of all, put His Word into practice as you walk into your future and into eternity by faith.
So, fix your eyes on Jesus.
Illumination Must Be Central
To make these Scriptures personal, remember God shares His reality with you. Since God is good, His reality can be trusted. He doesn’t lie. He wants to connect you with “what is” through His illumination. You can’t change “what is.” He wants you to connect with “what is.”
To live in God’s reality, put Jesus central. Afterall, He is the Light of the world. (Jn. 8:12) Frankly, only when Christ is central in your life (deliberate choice), and when you obey His Word (deliberate choice), you live in illumination.
Jesus knows how to bring purpose to life details. Likely, you’re aware of darkness around you. Well, simply – “Walk in the light as He is in the light.” (1 Jn. 1:7) Jesus shares His light with you. This keeps your illumination central through Jesus.
“Be still and know I am God” (Ps. 46:10). Doing this keeps Jesus central – and you in the center of His illumination. God won’t ask you to do things you can’t. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13) However, He wants you to just –
- Let go.
- Enjoy Him.
- Be still.
Instruction And Hope
1. Jesus claims if you intentionally hear and practice His words in every issue of your life, you build eternity into your daily life structure. Plus, you stand firm in life storms. Additionally, His presence keeps you in the light as He is in the light. (1 Jn. 1:7)
2. Give Jesus full control. Basically, you are created by God for Himself! He wants you to “do” life with Him. Plus, to “be” in a loving relationship and partnership with Him. Most of all, to “know” and “love” Him increasingly as you enjoy His Spirit dwelling in your soul.
3. Grab hold of hope in Christ by faith. Interestingly, the strongest line God throws to you is His deep love. Incidentally, your faith is the strongest line you can throw back to God. This is hope. “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5:5)
All those ideas are how you make our verses personal.
4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions
Did you know Jesus is the Lamp of all eternity? The illumination of Heaven. Apparently, you won’t even need the sun or moon – although they will likely be present.- Have you considered you are the light of the world? List ways you can bring illumination to others in your life during your day?
- When you are going through hard times – dark times – do you remember Jesus lights your lamp? Yes, He illuminates your path when you don’t know where to go or what to do. Plus, He warms your aching heart when you’ve been hurt, are sad, or have suffered.
- Are you exercising wisdom by applying Scriptures each day in every detail? Also, have you accepted the authority of Jesus as He teaches illumination? Finally, have you realized just how practical God’s Word is?
- Proactively believe today’s Scriptures of illumination. List practical ways to walk in God’s light through events and challenges of your day.
- In what ways are you “bending reality” to suit your own wishes? Unfortunately, you move out of God’s light when you do this. Just accept God’s reality and stay in His illumination. Afterall, you can’t change “what is.”
- What should you step away from to walk in Christ’s light? Be specific and practical.
For Your Personal Quiet Time
* Portions of this content come from my book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that powerfully challenges you to live with perspective, purpose, and strategy. 
Also from my book – Sharp Shooting: Your Bronze Bow – a devotional book that takes you through Matthew and powerfully challenges you to live like Jesus lives. You can find these books in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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