1 I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-20 Light. We take it ...
1 I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-20 Light. We take it ...
1 I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-20 Light. We take it ...
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I <strong>AM</strong> <strong>THE</strong> <strong>LIGHT</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>THE</strong> <strong>WORLD</strong> <strong>JOHN</strong> 8:<strong>12</strong>-<strong>20</strong><br />
<strong>Light</strong>. <strong>We</strong> <strong>take</strong> <strong>it</strong> for granted and underestimate <strong>it</strong>s value and impact.<br />
Fortunately, not everyone does. Back in 1960, Theodore Maiman invested the<br />
glare of a flash lamp into a rod of synthetic ruby. Maiman put reflective silver on<br />
each end of a ruby tube, so that the light beam bounced back and forth, gaining<br />
intens<strong>it</strong>y, until a single pulse of highly concentrated light was em<strong>it</strong>ted. It was the<br />
first “light amplification by stimulated emissions of radiation” on earth. What’s<br />
that It’s better known by <strong>it</strong>s acrostic version now – the laser. At first, no one<br />
was qu<strong>it</strong>e sure what to do w<strong>it</strong>h lasers. Has that ever changed in almost fifty<br />
years! Now lasers are used as supermarket scanners, to perform intricate eye<br />
surgeries and in exacting measuring devices. The FBI uses lasers to discover<br />
otherwise undetectable finger prints at crime scenes. Lasers weld car parts,<br />
husk peanuts, cut teeth in saws and even drill holes in baby bottle nipples. There<br />
just doesn’t seem to be much end in sight for the effective use of lasers in our<br />
lives. And yet what is a laser, after all It’s light! And light is so often <strong>take</strong>n for<br />
granted and underestimated. Yes, light is just a basic form of energy, but when<br />
<strong>it</strong>’s harnessed for specific purposes <strong>it</strong> has an unbelievably powerful impact.<br />
Jesus said something important about light.<br />
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Just like ordinary light, many people<br />
<strong>take</strong> Him for granted and underestimate His value and impact. That can even be<br />
true for those of us who are His followers. During this church season of Lent,<br />
we’re considering most of Jesus’ “I <strong>AM</strong>” statements found in the Gospel of John.<br />
All of them are really pretty outrageous simply because each one is a<br />
proclamation of de<strong>it</strong>y. Jesus is calling Himself God. It’s actually a name or a t<strong>it</strong>le<br />
for God going back to Exodus 3 when God revealed Himself to Moses as “I <strong>AM</strong><br />
THAT I <strong>AM</strong>.” But most of these great statements add a predicate – “I am the<br />
Bread of Life; I am the Door; I am the Good Shepherd” – just to name a few. And<br />
those predicates add a wonderful dimension. Each one touches our human<strong>it</strong>y in<br />
some profound way. So each I <strong>AM</strong> statement reveals how Jesus’ de<strong>it</strong>y impacts<br />
our human<strong>it</strong>y. Now, when <strong>it</strong> comes to this statement – “I am the light of the<br />
world” – at least two great truths emerge for our consideration today. First…<br />
IF JESUS IS <strong>THE</strong> <strong>LIGHT</strong>, HE IS LORD.<br />
Some Bible scholars have speculated that Jesus made this declaration on the<br />
first night of the Festival of the Tabernacles, a yearly worship celebration when<br />
the Jewish people remembered God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Use<br />
your gift of imagination this morning as we go back some <strong>20</strong>00 years to the great<br />
Temple in the c<strong>it</strong>y of Jerusalem. Imagine yourself s<strong>it</strong>ting there in the galleries<br />
around the Court of the Women in the Temple. This court was also where the<br />
treasuries were located and many people were walking around putting in their<br />
offerings. Verse <strong>20</strong> says of Jesus, “He spoke these words while teaching in the<br />
temple area near the place where the offerings were put.” (John 8:<strong>20</strong> NIV)<br />
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On the first night of the Festival of the Tabernacles, a special ceremony was held<br />
called the Illumination of the Temple. The sun sets and the people gather in the<br />
temple area to w<strong>it</strong>ness a remarkable spectacle. Two great candelabra stand in<br />
the center of the court – each candelabrum as tall as the temple walls<br />
themselves. Suddenly, each is set ablaze as a vivid reminder of the light that<br />
God had been to the Jewish people in the darkness of their ex<strong>it</strong> from Egypt.<br />
Those candelabra give off such a blaze of light that every home in Jerusalem is<br />
l<strong>it</strong> up by their brilliance. Then the people begin to sing and dance w<strong>it</strong>h joy and<br />
praise to God all through the night. Try to capture that impressive scene in your<br />
mind – the crush of people singing and praising God, the huge candelabra<br />
shining brightly, the exc<strong>it</strong>ement of the moment. Now, imagine what <strong>it</strong> must have<br />
been like when Jesus walked to the center of that court. All eyes turn to Him. He<br />
points to the candelabra and His voice rings out like thunder: “… ‘I am the light<br />
of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you<br />
will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:<strong>12</strong> NLT)<br />
It’s no surprise that the people there – most if not all – Jewish in race and religion<br />
would have been deeply shocked by Jesus’ statement. Why Those candelabra<br />
were reminders that God had led their ancestors from Egypt to the Promised<br />
Land by the pillar of cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night. It was a<br />
spectacular manifestation of light. When the pillar moved, Moses and the Jewish<br />
people moved. When <strong>it</strong> stopped, they stopped. That pillar of fiery light had been<br />
evidence of the very presence of God w<strong>it</strong>h them. He had been light in their<br />
darkness l<strong>it</strong>erally and spir<strong>it</strong>ually as He led them through the wilderness. <strong>Light</strong><br />
was a powerful image of God Himself. The Old Testament often compared God<br />
to light. “The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid...”<br />
(Psalm 27:1 NLT) sang King David. And Isaiah, the prophet, said, “No longer will<br />
you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give <strong>it</strong>s light by night, for the<br />
LORD your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”<br />
(Isaiah 60:19 NLT)<br />
Do you see where Jesus is going w<strong>it</strong>h this statement It was as if Jesus said,<br />
“Yes, God’s presence was in that pillar of fire for Moses and our ancestors. But<br />
now that pillar of light – that manifestation of His presence – is here again in a<br />
person. I am the light of the world. I am the light of life. These candelabra are<br />
shining brightly right now, but by morning they will have burned themselves out. I<br />
am the light which lasts forever and can never be diminished. Come, follow Me,<br />
and you will be able to walk in the light I provide forever.” Isn’t that downright<br />
outrageous Imagine making that kind of claim about yourself! You would be an<br />
absolute megalomaniac unless your claim was true!<br />
That’s the kind of assertion that demands a response. It’s so grandiose; you<br />
must e<strong>it</strong>her accept <strong>it</strong> or reject <strong>it</strong>. You can’t ignore <strong>it</strong>! The Jewish religious leaders<br />
of that day and time decided not to believe in Jesus or His claims. They<br />
challenged Him. They told Jesus He was making outrageous claims about<br />
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Himself that no one else could substantiate. Was there someone else that could<br />
corroborate this amazing, audacious, outrageous claim about Him<br />
Jesus responds to this kind of legal objection in an interesting way. He basically<br />
suggests that their objection is irrelevant. Jesus knew He was in fact the <strong>Light</strong> of<br />
the world in the same way a great surgeon knows his or her diagnosis is<br />
accurate or a great judge knows his or her application of the law is correct. It’s<br />
not pride. It’s simply being sure of what you know. Jesus knew what He knew!<br />
But, then, Jesus goes on to add the fact that God Himself was w<strong>it</strong>nessing to the<br />
valid<strong>it</strong>y of Jesus’ claims. “‘I am one who testifies for myself; my other w<strong>it</strong>ness is<br />
the Father, who sent me.’” (John 8:18 NIV)<br />
How did God do that If we took the time to look at other things Jesus said, we’d<br />
learn that Jesus believed His words were God’s w<strong>it</strong>ness on His behalf. No one<br />
could speak w<strong>it</strong>h His wisdom unless God had sent Him. Jesus also says that His<br />
deeds were God’s w<strong>it</strong>ness. No one could do the miracles Jesus did unless God<br />
had sent Him. Jesus suggests that His effect on people was yet another way<br />
God w<strong>it</strong>nessed to the valid<strong>it</strong>y of His claims. He works changes in people that are<br />
beyond human abil<strong>it</strong>y. Obviously, the greatest w<strong>it</strong>ness to Jesus’ authentic<strong>it</strong>y is<br />
His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. There’s no lack of<br />
evidence that Jesus was and is God in human flesh. The real problem is the<br />
stubborn unwillingness of the human heart and will to subm<strong>it</strong> to that evidence.<br />
My friend, if you are sincerely searching for light in the darkness of this world,<br />
inev<strong>it</strong>ably you will come to Jesus. And He is not just a light – one good choice in<br />
the midst of other good choices; He is the one and only <strong>Light</strong> of the world.<br />
You might already know that darkness and light are images used frequently in<br />
the Bible to describe our spir<strong>it</strong>ual cond<strong>it</strong>ion w<strong>it</strong>hout God (darkness) and what God<br />
has done in response (send light). For instance, the Bible says this about all<br />
human beings w<strong>it</strong>hout God, “Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far<br />
from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their<br />
hearts against him.” (Ephesians 4:18 NLT) It also says, “…people loved the<br />
darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.” (John 3:19 NLT) Into<br />
that darkness God sent the <strong>Light</strong> – Jesus. “The one who is the true light, who<br />
gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9 NLT) Jesus<br />
certainly recognized who He was and did not shrink from <strong>it</strong>, “‘I have come as a<br />
light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer<br />
remain in the dark.’” (John <strong>12</strong>:46 NLT)<br />
The l<strong>it</strong>tle village of Rattenberg is the smallest town in Austria, and getting smaller<br />
each year. The town has lost <strong>20</strong> percent of <strong>it</strong>s population in the past two<br />
decades, and as of <strong>20</strong>05 had only 440 residents. The reason Darkness.<br />
Rattenberg is nestled behind Rat Mountain—a 3,000-foot obstruction that blocks<br />
out the sun from November to February. But thanks to some clever new<br />
technology, the town's s<strong>it</strong>uation is about to get a l<strong>it</strong>tle brighter. An Austrian<br />
company has come up w<strong>it</strong>h a plan to bring sunshine into the darkness by<br />
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installing 30 heliostat mirrors onto the mountainside. The mirrors will grab light<br />
from reflectors on the sunny-side of the mountain and shine <strong>it</strong> back into the town.<br />
The project will not be cheap—the European Union will cover half of the $2.4<br />
million bill—but if successful, will bring hope to the 60 other commun<strong>it</strong>ies<br />
scattered throughout the Alps that endure the same kind of winter darkness each<br />
year. In the same way, God sent his own <strong>Light</strong> into our world in the person of His<br />
Son, Jesus. Through Jesus He offers us relief from the darkness of our own sin.<br />
That project also was not cheap. It was every expensive for God costing Him the<br />
life of His Son. But He Himself paid the bill and paid <strong>it</strong> in full.<br />
You have a choice. When you choose to follow Jesus, you choose spir<strong>it</strong>ual<br />
enlightenment. You’re given the light of life. As a flower blooms in the sunlight,<br />
your life will eventually blossom w<strong>it</strong>h His grace and beauty. When you reject<br />
Jesus, you choose spir<strong>it</strong>ual darkness. Eventually your life will shrink, shrivel and<br />
surely die. The results of your choice are that stark, that radical and that certain.<br />
If Jesus is the <strong>Light</strong>, He is Lord. But here’s a second truth to consider.<br />
IF JESUS IS <strong>THE</strong> <strong>LIGHT</strong>, HE WILL LEAD.<br />
A fundamental, continuing need in your life and mine is guidance, direction and<br />
leading through life’s journey. Life is full of big decisions. None of us enjoy<br />
uncertainty about what pathway to <strong>take</strong> when faced w<strong>it</strong>h multiple choices. I<br />
suspect that this room is full of people who are weighing any number of crucial<br />
decisions about some aspect of your life today. Some of you are wondering<br />
whether to continue or discontinue an important relationship. Others of you are<br />
deciding whether to pursue or to find a new job or career. Here’s a person<br />
deciding to spend or not spend a big sum of money. There’s a person weighing<br />
the alternatives between changing your current living s<strong>it</strong>uation or staying put.<br />
Has the need for direction in your life become so acute at times that you cry out<br />
in exasperation and frustration, “Lord, what is <strong>it</strong> that you want me to do” I’ve<br />
been there and will likely be again! That’s sometimes a very good place to be!<br />
When you ask, “Lord, what is <strong>it</strong> that you want me to do”, you’re assuming that<br />
God has a purpose and plan for your life. Indeed, He does!<br />
By calling Himself the <strong>Light</strong> of the world here, Jesus implies that He will lead you<br />
along life’s journey. Guidance is one of the great benef<strong>it</strong>s of being Jesus’<br />
follower. When Jesus is your <strong>Light</strong>, you can be sure that He will provide direction<br />
at cr<strong>it</strong>ical moments throughout your life - maybe not the direction you always<br />
want to go or in the exact timeframe that you want to receive <strong>it</strong>, but He will<br />
provide <strong>it</strong>. But, please notice that this promise is only for those who genuinely<br />
follow Jesus. “…‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to<br />
walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:<strong>12</strong><br />
NLT) That’s such an important Bible concept to understand. If you’ve grown up<br />
in a church, you’ve heard the word “discipleship” often. Did you know there’s no<br />
such word in the Bible – “discipleship” “Disciple”, yes, but “discipleship,” no.<br />
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The word that comes closest is “following” and <strong>it</strong>’s always found as a verb rather<br />
than a noun. Being a disciple of Jesus is about following Jesus.<br />
How do you follow Jesus, then If you look at how that same word is used in<br />
other places in the New Testament, <strong>it</strong> sheds some light on what Jesus means<br />
here. A soldier follows his officer. The follower of Jesus is a soldier whose<br />
commanding officer is Jesus. You do what He says to do. A slave follows his or<br />
her master. The follower of Jesus is a slave whose joy <strong>it</strong> is always to serve his or<br />
her Master, Jesus. A student follows the teaching or the advice of his or her<br />
mentor. The follower of Jesus obeys Jesus’ counsel and teachings. A c<strong>it</strong>izen<br />
follows the laws and regulations of the country to which he or she belongs. The<br />
follower of Jesus follows the laws of the Kingdom of God.<br />
I’m still learning that receiving the light of Jesus in the living out of my life and <strong>it</strong>s<br />
decisions demands continual and personal submission. Here’s a fair question to<br />
ask yourself, “Do I really want the Lord’s guidance in this s<strong>it</strong>uation” I like the<br />
story about this overweight guy who often stopped by the bakery on his way into<br />
work to pick up some goodies for the staff coffee break. It seems he finally<br />
decided to get serious about going on a diet. In order to avoid the temptation of<br />
the bakery, he started taking a different route to work. One day, however, he had<br />
to run an errand on the way into work that was very close to the bakery. As he<br />
approached the old bakery, he said to himself, “Maybe God wants me to stop by<br />
the bakery this morning and pick up some goodies for the office staff.” So he<br />
prayed, “Lord, if you want me to stop at the bakery this morning make a parking<br />
spot available right in front of the bakery so there’s no question in my mind.”<br />
And, sure enough, there <strong>it</strong> was, a parking spot right in front of the bakery – on his<br />
eighth trip around the block! Be careful that you don’t manipulate a s<strong>it</strong>uation and<br />
then say, “God led me to do <strong>it</strong>!”<br />
Have you ever truly laid before Jesus the area of decision that you’re struggling<br />
w<strong>it</strong>h today – your job, your marriage, your family, your future, whatever – and<br />
asked Him sincerely, “Lord, what is <strong>it</strong> that You want me to do” If, behind that<br />
question, is genuine surrender to Jesus as your Lord, I have no doubt God will<br />
lead you. He won’t allow you to stumble around in the darkness forever. So the<br />
secret of being led by Jesus in life’s decisions is a moment by moment following<br />
of Jesus expressed through continual and personal submission. I believe that’s<br />
what the Bible is implying when <strong>it</strong> says to us, “If you need wisdom, ask our<br />
generous God, and he will give <strong>it</strong> to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But<br />
when you ask him, be sure that your fa<strong>it</strong>h is in God alone.” (James 1:5-6 NLT)<br />
And I believe that’s what Jesus Himself implies in the passage we’re studying<br />
today, “…‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in<br />
darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:<strong>12</strong> NLT)<br />
“Lord, what is <strong>it</strong> that You want me to do” The answer will come to those who<br />
follow Jesus and who subm<strong>it</strong> those decisions to the penetrating <strong>Light</strong> of Christ.<br />
So, my friend, what’s the decision looming before you What choice are you<br />
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faced w<strong>it</strong>h What area of life is dark and mysterious Bring <strong>it</strong> to the <strong>Light</strong> and<br />
have the courage to ask yourself some questions in the <strong>Light</strong>. What is my life’s<br />
purpose Is <strong>it</strong> to know and do the will of Jesus Which of the alternatives before<br />
me f<strong>it</strong>s in best w<strong>it</strong>h God’s purpose for me Does God’s Word give me guidance<br />
in this matter Sometimes the Bible gives specific direction. At other times, you<br />
might need to discern a biblical principle and how <strong>it</strong> applies to your s<strong>it</strong>uation.<br />
What do I sense the Holy Spir<strong>it</strong> indicating to me Can I do this and honor God<br />
Has God orchestrated certain circumstances that were beyond my control or<br />
have I manipulated the s<strong>it</strong>uation and claimed God was responsible Would He<br />
bless and approve how I carry out every aspect of this decision<br />
A certain harbor in Italy can only be reached by sailing up a narrow channel<br />
between dangerous rocks and shoals. Over the years, many ships have been<br />
wrecked and navigation is hazardous to say the least. So, to guide the ships<br />
safely into port, three lights have been mounted on three huge poles in the<br />
harbor. When those three lights are perfectly lined up and seen as one light, the<br />
ship’s captain can safely proceed up the narrow channel. But if he sees two or<br />
three lights, he knows he’s off course and in danger. God has provided at least<br />
three lights to guide us when we’re faced w<strong>it</strong>h tough decisions. The Word of God<br />
– the Bible – is one light. The Holy Spir<strong>it</strong>’s abil<strong>it</strong>y to communicate w<strong>it</strong>h and<br />
confirm God’s will to your inner spir<strong>it</strong> is a second light. And then circumstances<br />
and events that God in His gracious providence arranges is a third light. Be<br />
careful if those three lights don’t line up. If they don’t line up, danger is ahead.<br />
But when those three lights do line up – the Bible, the Holy Spir<strong>it</strong> and<br />
circumstances – you can be qu<strong>it</strong>e sure <strong>it</strong>’s safe to proceed. God is giving you His<br />
direction. Move ahead.<br />
Jesus said, “I am the <strong>Light</strong> of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in<br />
darkness, but will have the light of life.” If Jesus is the <strong>Light</strong>, He is Lord. If Jesus<br />
is the <strong>Light</strong> – your <strong>Light</strong> -, He will lead.<br />
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