Without light we couldn’t live.  Sunlight sustains life.  It brings us lots of benefits, some of which you might not be aware.  I came across an article this week that lists 5 wide-ranging benefits of natural light.  Caveat: the article was written by a company that sells skylights!  Anyway, here are some excerpts from their list.

It helps with learning.  Artificial light could actually be damaging students’ academic progress. Comparative studies of schools in both Sweden and the United States show that students absorb and process information faster when they receive ample natural light. One study found that students whose schools used natural lighting progressed 20% faster on standardized math tests and 26% faster on reading tests than students who learn under artificial light.

It helps with business.  Having natural light in a retail store has been shown to improve sales. A case study found that, on average, facilities that had natural light had sales numbers up to 6% higher than facilities with artificial lighting. Another study, conducted by Walmart discovered that the same product, when displayed under natural light, would consistently outsell an identical item in a non-daylit section of the store.

It helps our health. Moderate exposure to sunlight helps improve visual health and aid in the prevention of medical conditions including seasonal affective disorder, pre-diabetes, multiple sclerosis, hypertension, and some autoimmune diseases. Natural light is so beneficial that workplaces who integrate it experience a decrease in employee sick days of up to 6.5%.

Natural light has a lot of benefits.  This was not an exhaustive list.  The sun lights our world and brings us good.

But this Sunday I want to focus on spiritual light.  There is a spiritual sun (and, by the way, he is the creator of the physical sun)!  Malachi 4:2b speaks of him.  The prophet foretells that “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”

Who is this “sun of righteousness?”  He is the light of the world—Jesus! In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”  Oh the good that comes to those who embrace and dwell in his light!

Join us for Christmas at Istrouma this Sunday as we continue our series, “The Light of the World.”

The Light of the World

John 8:12

1. An incredible claim

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12a).

1. Jesus will deliver you

1. Jesus will direct you

1. An inevitable consequence

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (8:12b).

1. There is a requirement

1. There is a result

1. An important choice

13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” . . . 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”

(8:13-32).

1. We can reject him
2. We can receive him