The Walk of Wisdom Part 3-the Way is in The Light
By: My Dad
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
Perhaps the most well-known chapter of John’s Gospel is chapter 3 – the passage where Jesus was called on at night by a Pharisee, Nicodemus, seeking to ask him about his teaching, and perhaps, his legitimacy as a man from God.
Astonishingly, Jesus did not explain Himself rather made a bold assertion: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (v.3, see also v.7). Certainly, Nicodemus understood the Hebrew Bible’s concept of the “Way” to walk with God. He must have realized that the “Way” to see the kingdom of God is the means to be accepted by God and to receive eternal life. But it’s Nicodemus was perplexed; how can this rebirth be? So, Jesus explained in the ensuing verses:
- The Pharisees are Israel’s spiritual teachers, but, (vv. 10-11)
- They do not even understand Jesus’ signs (earthly, physical things), and so, (v. 12)
- How can they understand heavenly (spiritual) things (Like spiritual rebirth)?
Again, Jesus, makes another bold assertion:
- God the Father loved the fallen world so much, that,
- He gave his one and only Son, so whoever believes in him will have eternal life, (v. 16)
- Because the Son came to save the world, not to condemn it, but, (v. 17)
- Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does is condemned already (v. 18)
Jesus clearly asserted that belief in Him was the only way to rebirth and eternal life! But by this point, Nicodemus must have been wondering what is the condemnation Jesus is speaking about?
Jesus explained:
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light lest his deeds be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:19-21.
Yes, Jesus taught Nicodemus a fundamental truth: Jesus is the light (the way, the truth and life) from God that came to a dark (sinful) world. Sinful people living in darkness (to hide their sin) do not like the light that exposes the sin. One can clearly see that Pharisees living in pride and hypocrisy did not like the light of Jesus’ clear teaching on the need for genuine faith, truth before God, and a pure heart. To Nicodemus, it must have stung!
Later in His ministry, Jesus declared explicitly (again to a group of Pharisees) “…I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.’” John 8:12.
There it is! Walking in the way of wisdom is following the light that is Jesus. This means we allow Jesus to be the and light or Lord that guides us through life. We believe, trust, and follow what we know of His teachings in Scripture. We learn of all that is said of Him throughout the entire Scripture. He is the focus of our life. As the Psalmist exclaimed: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Paul reminded the believers at Ephesus that they were new creations in Christ, and therefore should walk (live their lives) in a way that shows they are God’s children, living in the Light of His truth: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8
John also contrasted the difference in walking in darkness and light for the professing believer:
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Walking in Darkness |
Walking in The Light |
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“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1: -6. |
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. |
Our encouragement in wisdom this week is to walk as children of light, use the light of God’s Word to illuminate our steps and the path before us, and beware of the darkness of the world. In a dark world, the wise believer will shine like a star in the night sky! (See Philippians 2:15 and Daniel 12:3)