Walking in the Light: Finding Freedom, Joy, and Fellowship in Jesus
Pastor Zoe Hatcher of Open Arms Community Church continues the Journey to Salvation series with a message that speaks directly to those who feel spiritually weary, burdened, or unsure of where they stand with God. This teaching explores what it truly means to walk in the light, how Jesus fulfills God’s promises to those living in darkness, and why stepping into the light leads to freedom, joy, and restored fellowship with God and others.
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What Does It Mean to Walk in the Light?
Scripture often uses the contrast between light and darkness to describe spiritual reality. Darkness represents sin, oppression, confusion, despair, and separation from God. Light represents truth, freedom, joy, healing, and restored relationship with God.
The prophet Isaiah spoke to people who had lived under deep distress and spiritual darkness. God promised that darkness would not be the final word.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations,
by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Isaiah 9:1–4 (New International Version)
When the light comes, Isaiah describes a complete shift: joy increases, burdens are broken, and people rejoice as if at harvest time. This promise pointed beyond temporary relief to lasting deliverance through the Messiah.
How Did Jesus Fulfill God’s Promise of Light?
The Gospel of Matthew shows how Isaiah’s prophecy came to life through Jesus’ ministry.
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:12-23 New International Version
Jesus intentionally began His public ministry in Galilee, in the very regions Isaiah named centuries earlier. By leaving Nazareth and settling in Capernaum, Jesus fulfilled God’s promise that a great light would shine on people living in darkness.
This revealed God’s heart for outsiders, the overlooked, and those weighed down by spiritual heaviness. The light came exactly where it was most needed.
Why Did Jesus Begin His Ministry With the Call to Repent?
When Jesus began preaching, His message was clear and direct: repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”Matthew 4:17 New International Version
Repentance is not about condemnation or shame. It is about turning—turning away from self-reliance, sin, and darkness, and turning toward God’s truth and leadership. Becoming a follower of Christ means surrendering control and choosing to walk in a new direction.
What Does It Mean That Jesus Is the Light of the World?
Jesus did not simply bring light—He declared Himself to be the light.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he 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 (New International Version)
In a world filled with spiritual and moral darkness, Jesus promised that those who follow Him would never walk in darkness again. To follow Him is to walk with the light continually present, guiding each step forward.
Those who walk with Jesus carry the light with them—an eternal source of direction and life, even when circumstances feel uncertain.
Why Does Jesus Replace Our Heavy Yoke With His Own?
God does not merely remove burdens; He replaces them.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy
and my burden is light.”Matthew 11:28–30 (New International Version)
A yoke was a heavy wooden harness placed on animals to pull weight. Jesus uses this image to explain spiritual life. He does not promise a life without work, but a life where the work is shared.
This shared work can be compared to a small child insisting on “helping” an adult. The child feels involved and purposeful, but the adult is doing the heavy lifting. The effort is real, but the burden is no longer crushing. In the same way, Jesus carries the greater weight.
Many people are exhausted by legalism, self-powered effort, expectations, and shame. Jesus offers rest by walking alongside His followers and shouldering what they were never meant to carry alone.
Can Someone Follow Jesus and Still Walk in Darkness?
Scripture addresses this question directly and honestly.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:5–7
God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Claiming fellowship with God while continuing to walk in darkness is living outside the truth.
Walking in the light produces true fellowship—with God and with others. That fellowship is possible because sin is brought into the light and purified through Jesus. Without that purification, darkness continues to isolate and divide.
Why Does Darkness Keep Pulling People Back?
Leaving darkness is not always easy—even when freedom is offered.
Temptation often behaves like something alive, something that clings. A powerful illustration of this is found in the Spider-Man character Venom. Venom attaches itself to its host, offering strength while slowly consuming them. Even when the host realizes Venom is destroying them, removing it is painful. And once it is gone, Venom keeps trying to return—stretching, pulling, calling the host back.
That is often how darkness works spiritually.
Old habits, sins, patterns, and mindsets may be destructive, yet they can feel familiar. Even after stepping into the light, temptation can feel like a constant pull—trying to wrap itself back around the heart and mind.
This is why walking in the light is not a one-time decision, but a daily choice to keep walking forward with Jesus when the pull comes.
Why Is the Cross the Only Way Out of Darkness?
If freedom were possible through effort alone, humanity would have achieved it already.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved
it is the power of God.1 Corinthians 1:18 (New International Version)
The message of the cross may sound foolish to the world, but it is the power of God for those who are being saved. Freedom from darkness does not come through willpower—it comes through surrender.
The cross makes it possible to leave darkness behind and walk fully in the light.
What Choice Is Being Offered Today?
Walking in the light requires a decision.
It is a choice to turn away from darkness and walk with Jesus daily. It is a choice to exchange heaviness for joy, isolation for fellowship, and oppression for freedom.
Jesus continues to extend His hand, inviting people to leave the darkness behind and walk with Him in the light. The invitation remains open—to step into joy, to bear His easy yoke, and to begin a new way forward.
Take Your Next Step
Walking in the light is not meant to be done alone. Whether this message encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you see Jesus more clearly, there is a next step waiting for you.
Join Us in Person
If you’re looking for a church community where you can grow, ask questions, and walk in the light alongside others, we would love to welcome you to Open Arms Community Church.
👉 Plan your visit:
https://openarmscommunitychurch.org/visit
Support the Work God Is Doing
Your generosity helps share the hope of Jesus and makes space for lives to be changed—locally and beyond. Giving is one way to partner in bringing light, freedom, and healing to others.
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No matter where you are on your journey, you are invited to walk in the light—and you don’t have to take that step alone.
