Walking in the light

Walking in the light

Bible: Hebrews 12:18-24

Reading

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind (JOHN 1:4).

Darkness covered our forest village when the moon disappeared. Lightning flashed in the skies, followed by a rainstorm and crackling thunder. Awake and afraid, as a little kid I imagined all kinds of monsters about to attack me! But by morning the sounds had vanished, the sun rose and calm returned as birds sang in the sunshine. The difference between the frightening darkness of the night and the brightness of the daylight was incredible. The author of Hebrews remembers the time when the Israelites had an experience at Mount Sinai so dark and stormy they hid in fear (EXODUS 20:18-19).

For them, meeting God felt dark and terrifying. This was because, as sinful people, the Israelites couldn’t live up to God’s standards. Their sin made them scared when they met God; they knew they had been walking in darkness (HEBREWS 12:18-21). But God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all (1 JOHN 1:5).

In Hebrews 12, Mount Sinai is given as a picture of our life before we trusted God; full of selfishness and confusion (darkness). Mount Zion, on the other hand, is a picture of our new life in Jesus, “the mediator of a new covenant [or agreement with God]” (VV.22-24). Whoever follows Jesus will “never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (JOHN 8:12). Through Him, we can let go of the darkness and fear of our old life and instead enjoy walking with Jesus in the light of His ways, teaching and love.

JESUS LIGHTS UP THE WAY AHEAD.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries