Article December 30, 1933 Issue

"I am the light of the world"

[Original article in German]

FRIDA JACOB

Jesus declared among other things, "I am the light of the world." What did he mean by that? Light dispels darkness and shows in its right proportions that which had seemed distorted. In the evening we rejoice over the first star that twinkles in the sky, and even a small lighted window has been a great comfort to us when in the darkness we have seemed to lose our way.

Christ Jesus' earthly career was filled with light. From his birth, when the heavens shone in glory over the hills of Bethlehem, to his ascension, he expressed spiritual light. Jesus' words, "I am the light of the world," have a higher significance than material light. Wherever our great Master went he corrected the false concept about God and man, thereby bringing spiritual illumination to sinners and sufferers, and by his thoughts, words, and works pointing to the true God and the true man. Thus he brought to light the healing action of divine Love.

Light has other qualities besides illumination. When one holds his hand near a lighted candle, it will warm his hand. Jesus' entire life radiated warmth of heart and kindness. The spiritual qualities of the Christ which he so clearly expressed warmed the hearts that were chilled, hardened, and sickened by hatred, revenge, fear, greed. Truth is also a purifier. In Luke we read Jesus' words, "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?" He came to kindle in the hearts of men, through his God-inspired words, the fire of Truth, which reduces to nothingness that which is not of Truth. This fire of Truth separates the tares from the wheat—true thinking from false beliefs—and burns all the tares, all that is unlike good. The Revelator, John, saw a "mighty angel come down from heaven" whose feet were "as pillars of fire." Sin, sickness, and discord have no basis in Truth, and cannot persist in the presence of Love and its spiritual illumination. In Hebrews we read, "Our God is a consuming fire." Whatever is not good cannot continue in the presence of this fire. The belief in any disease dissolves into nothingness before the light of Truth. People believe in the use of material means, expecting help therefrom. Yet, what has such treatment to do with the healing Christ? Can material light destroy the cause of the disease, destroy sorrow, suffering, trouble, hatred, the belief in evil, fear, sin, and thus accomplish the healing work, as Christ Jesus accomplished it? Can it correct evil dispositions, bad habits, and passions? Christ Jesus said, "I am the light of the world;" and he was the greatest healer the world has ever known. Through his understanding and loving nature all were healed—yea, even the dead were raised. To attain the light of Truth we must in purity and honesty reflect spiritual, Christlike characteristics in every place, in all conditions, under all circumstances.

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