Light of the World

An Easter Hymn

This hymn was born out of reflecting on the theme of light in the gospels, and that Christ, the true light of the world, willingly entered darkness again and again in order to bring healing and life.

So I decided at Easter to dwell on that theme and develop it through Christ’s birth, death, burial, and resurrection.

Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

(John 1:4–13, ESV)

John 3:19-21, shortly after that most famous of verses “For God so loved the world…”

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

(John 3:19-21, ESV)

Again, John writes:

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.”

(John 8:12, ESV)

Christ our light endured the darkness of the womb, the tomb and the hill of Golgotha. But while darkness fell on the cross on Good Friday, it was vanquished forever on Easter morning.

To Woodlands (Tell Out My Soul).

Light of the World in darkness you once grew,
Enclosed within the womb a virgin gave.
God’s holy Son our likeness to renew
And break the bonds of darkness, sin and grave.

Light of the World in darkness you once died,
Laid down your life to claim our crown of shame.
God’s righteous Son, the blameless crucified
To take our guilt and glorify your name!

Light of the World in darkness you once lay
Enclosed within the tomb a stranger gave.
Life-giving Son laid lifeless in the clay
To bury sin forever in your grave.

Light of the World all darkness you have slain
Took up your life and claimed your crown once more
God’s favoured son, in righteousness to reign,
In light and life abundant evermore!

He is risen!