Sunday 8^th February 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus said, “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)

Light of the world
I love it when I discover something fresh in the Bible (or, more often, when I’m shown it by someone else) – and there will always be new treasures to unearth in the words of the eternal, immortal, infinite and all-wise God.

The newest insight came as I was reading Explore Bible notes on Friday morning, with this simple question about John 8:12 (see above): “What do you notice about this ‘light’?  Is it stationary or moving?'”

I hadn’t noticed it before, but this light is moving.  After all, Jesus is encouraging his hearers to ‘follow’ the light and so not ‘walk’ in darkness.

And then the notes point out that there was a time in Israel’s history when they had to ‘follow’ a light: “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people” (Exodus 13:21-22). 

And then this comment: “Jesus is the one who leads God’s people into the promised land (which is a picture of the new creation).  It’s quite a claim: if you and I want to end up in the new heavens and new earth, we must walk behind Jesus. We’ll get lost behind anyone else.”

Prayer
Lord, thank you for coming into this world as its light to lead us home to yourself; help me to follow you wherever you lead, all the way home.  Amen.

Yours warmly, in Christ

Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister)