What is Diwali?
Diwali (also written as Deepavali or Dipavali) is the Hindu festival of lights that symbolises the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance”. Source: Wikipedia
Depending on who you ask, you may get a few stories as to how this festival came to be but no matter which story you’ve heard or read, it’s clearly about good triumphing over evil. Who wouldn’t like that?
While I personally don’t celebrate Diwali (or any of the other Hindu festivals), my family will send me their greetings and best wishes on such occasions and Diwali being a festival of lights, made me reflect on Who Jesus is, be reminded of the fact that my family does not know Him like I do and the eternal ramifications of that never happening.
Why Jesus on Diwali?
Being that it’s a festival of lights, during Diwali, people light lamps and use fireworks and sparklers to celebrate. Light is symbolic of good and one can understand why there’s an abundance of it in Diwali celebrations.
Ultimately though, a lamp will go out, a sparkler will fizzle out and fireworks will fade away – they are just temporary sources of light.
In the Bible, in John 8:12, Jesus declares:
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
When Jesus willingly died on the cross, He not only paid the price for our sins so we can be right with God, His Holy Spirit would also begin to dwell in all who put their trust and faith in Him.
With the Spirit of Jesus in us, the Light of the world illuminating us, God helps us overcome the darkness within us.
In John 8:12, Jesus confirms:
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Not only does the LORD eliminate the darkness within us, God enables us to shine in His Light on the world around us!
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus encourages:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Conclusion
As you put out the lamps this Diwali, I pray that you will open your hearts to receive Jesus, the Light that cannot ever be extinguished.
If you’d like to know more about Jesus, please feel free to ask me.
God bless you!
Thank Sri 🙂