Stepping Into the Light: Finding Freedom in Christ

Darkness has a way of making us feel lost. It disorients. It confuses. It steals our sense of direction and confidence.

But as terrifying as physical darkness can be, there is something worse—spiritual darkness.

It’s the feeling of being stuck, of searching for something—peace, purpose, hope—and coming up empty. It’s the weight of regret, the fear of the unknown, the gnawing sense that we were made for more but can’t seem to find it.

Then Jesus steps in. And He makes a stunning declaration:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)

This isn’t just poetic imagery. It’s a rescue mission. Jesus doesn’t merely point us to the light—He is the light. He isn’t offering a philosophy, a self-help program, or a list of moral improvements. He is offering Himself.

Light That Reveals

Light does something essential—it reveals. It exposes what’s hidden, brings clarity, and shows us what was there all along.

When Jesus calls Himself the light of the world, He is making a radical claim. He isn’t just another teacher. He isn’t just offering wisdom or guidance. He is saying, “I am God’s presence among you.”

The setting of this statement makes it even more powerful. Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the most joyful celebrations in Israel. Every night, in the Temple courts, the priests lit four enormous golden menorahs, so bright that their glow stretched across the entire city of Jerusalem. This light was a reminder of how God led Israel through the wilderness with a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21). That fire meant God was with them—guiding, protecting, and revealing His presence.

Now, standing in that same Temple court, with the memory of those giant flames still fresh in the minds of the people, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.”

Not just the light of Israel. The light of the world.

He wasn’t just saying that He illuminates the way—He was saying, “I am the way.” (John 14:6)

Light That Rescues

But Jesus didn’t come just to reveal truth—He came to rescue.

“Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.” (John 8:12)

That’s not a suggestion. It’s not a vague hope. It’s a promise.

But to understand the weight of that promise, we have to understand the depth of the darkness.

Throughout the Bible, darkness is more than just the absence of light. It represents sin, ignorance, and separation from God. It’s not just where we are—it’s what we are without Christ. And we can’t escape it on our own.

Think back to the ninth plague in Egypt—the plague of darkness (Exodus 10:21-23). God sent a darkness so thick, so overwhelming, that it could be felt. For three days, the Egyptians couldn’t move. They couldn’t see one another.

But listen to this:

“Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” (Exodus 10:23, NIV)

Darkness covered the land, but it didn’t cover God’s people.

That wasn’t just a historical event—it was a spiritual picture.

Without Jesus, we are trapped in spiritual darkness. Not for three days. For a lifetime.

Maybe you’ve felt that darkness before. That sense of being lost, unsure which way to turn. Maybe you’ve tried to fix yourself, to find your own way out. But the truth is, we can’t rescue ourselves.

That’s why Jesus came.

Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT) says,

“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”

Jesus didn’t come to teach us how to escape the darkness—He came to pull us out of it.

That’s His mission. That’s His purpose.

That’s why He left heaven.

That’s why He stepped into human history.

That’s why He went to the cross.

Light That Restores

But Jesus doesn’t just reveal and rescue—He restores.

“…but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

He doesn’t just show the way out—He invites us into something new.

Think about the Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days when their mine collapsed. They were buried 2,300 feet below the surface. No light. No way out. No hope of saving themselves.

Then, on the 17th day, something happened.

A drill broke through the ceiling of their cave.

For the first time in weeks, they knew—rescue was coming.

But when they were finally pulled to the surface, they couldn’t just walk back into life as normal. Their eyes had adjusted to the darkness. They couldn’t handle full sunlight yet. Doctors had to ease them back into the light with sunglasses and gradual exposure.

Even after they were rescued, they had to learn to live in the light again.

That’s a picture of what happens spiritually.

When we come to Christ, we step into new life. But we don’t automatically know how to live in it. Old habits pull at us. Old ways of thinking creep back in. That’s why Paul writes:

“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” (Ephesians 5:8, NLT)

We have the light—now we have to live in it.

Stepping Into the Light

So what about you?

Are you still stuck in the darkness?

Maybe you’ve known about Jesus for a long time, but you’ve never really followed Him. Maybe you’ve been waiting—afraid to let go of the life you’ve built in the dark.

But Jesus is standing before you, saying:

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you will never walk in darkness again.”

That’s the invitation. That’s the promise. But like those Chilean miners, you have to step into the rescue capsule. You have to say yes.

If you’re ready, pray this:

“Jesus, I know I’ve been walking in darkness. I’ve tried to find my own way, but I can’t do it anymore. I believe You are the Light of the World. I believe You died for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Right now, I step out of the darkness and into Your light. Forgive me. Change me. Lead me. I choose to follow You today and forever. Amen.”

If you prayed that, you’ve just stepped into new life!

And for those of us who have already been rescued—the question isn’t, “Are you in the light?” The question is, “Are you living in it?”

Lent is a time to walk fully in the light. To strip away distractions. To focus on Jesus.

So what needs to change?

What do you need to let go of?

What do you need to step toward?

Whatever it is—don’t wait.

Step into the Light today.