What Happens When Light Illuminates and Nourishes
It’s early and I’m hanging out with my face pressed to the floor because waiting expectantly for God first thing changes the rest of my day. Ellie Holcomb’s new album, All of My Days, is on repeat in my Beats and I notice the opening line from the song about Psalm 119:
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
v. 105, KJV
I’ve heard it many times before and in various versions, but today I see another layer. My current reading plan, titled “A 40-Day Retreat with Jesus” and tucked into the back of The Voice translation, took me to a passage in John 8. Here we find Jesus embracing a sinner. Not avoiding, judging, or despising her. We note his calm demeanor contrasting with the Pharisees who are badgering him. His reply:
Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has not sinned
v. 7
We know the story. One by one the accusers slip away until it’s just Jesus and a woman aware of her brokenness. Just her and the One who can see right through her. This is what He says:
Well, I do not condemn you either; all I ask is that you go and from now on avoid the sins that plague you.
v. 11, The Voice
The brief moment ends but the chapter continues. It dawns on me that these are not separate stories but all the same, continuous one. It’s Jesus’s nature revealed in all He does. And what it means for all of us.
Here’s what unfolds next:
On another occasion, Jesus spoke to the crowds again.
I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness.
v. 12, The Voice
Jesus is Light. It emanates from His being. The closer we stay, the brighter the space around us and the path before us, just like Ellie’s singing in her captivating voice.
Light brings clarity. We see unveiled, as if through His eyes. See the sinner, not the sin. Without this lens we’re the Pharisees, riled up over what they see as not right. Zeroing in on the offense rather than a human hurting and in need of Jesus. Gossiping and comparing and canceling, and justifying our rightness in all of it.
The truth we hold fast to is this: we must be near Him in order to see from His vantage point.
Harmony and Overflow
A few verses later I find another nugget: ”I act in harmony with the One who sent Me” (v. 16).
Harmony means “agreement or concord,” according to Oxford Languages. “The quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole.” It’s a seamless, layered sound that swells and moves us.
That’s how it is with Jesus and His Father. They share the same mind, heart, vision. There’s no discord, no overpowering, selfish swaying. They act as one because they are indeed One.
And we’re invited into this harmonious dance. “Perfect unity,” as Jesus prayed over us. Reading from The Passion Translation,
I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me. For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me.
John 17:21-23
Every Bible-time story is Jesus showing us how to live. He didn’t move in and walk our dusty trails for it to end when He returned to heaven. He demonstrated lifestyle rhythms so we could replicate them. Taught us that everything we do stems from the condition of our hearts. Gave us continual access to Him. Called us His own and explained His family values:
Love fiercely. Especially when it’s underserved. Forgive freely. Give generously. Glorify me through all you say and do. Come to Me for all you need. Remember that I’m always with you.
Similarly, every gift He gives us is meant for more than us. We see by means of His uncontainable light and we gain wisdom for our next steps—and to share with our neighbors. The close communion we experience as we fall in sync with Him has an overflow. It ripples into our normal life conversations and obligations. The love spilling everywhere, from Him to us, from Him through us, is a testimony to our communities of the grace Jesus offers.
This is our everyday, radical mission: know we’re loved and make Him known.
Nourishing Light
Here’s the piece I’d missed in all the verses about Jesus being the light. Light not only illuminates, it nourishes. Let’s look back at John 8:12.
I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness.
The Voice
Jesus and the God-breathed words I’m holding in my hands aren’t just for my mind, but my heart. It’s light and it’s food. Because we’re not robots replicating Him but dearly loved children. He satisfies us with His abundance—for us and so we can tell those around us what we’ve experienced.
Let’s pray.
Jesus, You are incredibly kind. Here’s our thanks, welling up from our grateful hearts. You are Light and Harmony. May we know You as both. Join you in both.
Just a friend over here in your corner,
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