“ HE+ (JESUS) removed the darkness from my face.”
+ + +
BUT NOW . . . How do we MAINTAIN His+ Light
in this dark and dreary world ?
Then spake JESUS again unto them, saying,
I+, I+ AM the Light
of the world:
he that followeth* ME+
shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the Light of Life. John 8:12
+ + +
That irresistible LIGHT !
LIGHT draws !
All, all, all eyes are drawn to the LIGHT in a dark place.
Darkness cannot --- is not able, has not been given the ability by our CREATOR --- to snuff out light. . . any light, any where.
Even the tiniest match lit in a totally dark cave GLOWS and the darkness in that cave absolutely cannot overcome its little light.
When the LIGHT of LIFE comes from our LORD JESUS, His+ LIGHT illuminates the inner man . . . as well as our faces !
The Early Christian Odes* ( hymns ) contain a line that states:
“ HE+ (JESUS) removed the darkness from my face.”
+ + +
BUT NOW . . . How do we MAINTAIN His+ Light
in this dark and dreary world ?
The Living WORD+ of GOD shows us how.
Let’s look at the verb “follow” in John 8:12. It is so translated in many other verses as well.
Here is Strong’s information about the verb “follow” :
aκολουθέω # 190. = akoloutheō = ak-ol-oo-theh'-o
From G1 = a , (as a particle of union) and κέλευθος = keleuthos (a road); properly to be in the same way with, that is, to accompany (specifically as a disciple): - follow, reach.
Based on Strong’s definition, we can expand our understanding of The LORD’S WORDS to us in John 8:12, specifically, then :
“ . . . he that accompanies ME+
shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the Light of Life.”
Another classic Lexicon** ( dictionary ) of the New Testament words is even more specific:
“ (Properly: … walking the same road) , to follow one who precedes, [ to] join him as his attendant, accompany…”
To join HIM+ as His+ attendant
as you walk with HIM+
This fuller understanding of the Greek verb “follow” tells us HOW to maintain the LIGHT of LIFE found in JESUS CHRIST.
We walk with HIM+
--- as His+ attendant ---
on the SAME ROAD HE+ IS WALKING.
We go the same direction as HE+ is going.
We stop when HE+ stops.
We sit when HE+ sits.
We draw away from the crowd when HE+ draws away.
More importantly, we come before THE FATHER with HIM+ when HE+ does . . . in silence, in the deepest part of our heart, in stillness of mind, removed from the world.
Then it is that . . .
WE maintain HIS+ LIGHT of Life in us.
+ + +
LET US PRAY:
LORD JESUS, help me to stay close by Your+ side, on the road YOU+ have chosen.
Help me fight distractions that tug at my flesh, O LORD.
Put blinders on my eyes that I may not to go to the left hand nor to the right, but to stay with YOU+ and attend unto You+ .
Then, I will be walking in the LIGHT, as YOU+ are in the Light, and so have that sweet fellowship with YOU+ undisturbed by darkness.
Thank YOU+, LORD JESUS, for taking the darkness from my face. Amen.
___________________________________________________
* Eternal Life Has Risen , The ODES Project, Selections from Volumes 1 &2, Selection # 10. The ODES of Solomon ~ The First Christian Hymnal. Haven Ministries. TheOdesProject.com
**Thayer, Joseph H. , Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament – Coded with Strong’s Numbering System aκολουθέω # 190, first column, p. 22, , Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Peabody, Massachusetts, 4th edition ( 1896), Sixth Printing, 2003.
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