I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-20

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1 I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-20 Light. We take it for granted and underestimate its value and impact. Fortunately, not everyone does. Back in 1960, Theodore Maiman invested the glare of a flash lamp into a rod of synthetic ruby. Maiman put reflective silver on each end of a ruby tube, so that the light beam bounced back and forth, gaining intensity, until a single pulse of highly concentrated light was emitted. It was the first light amplification by stimulated emissions of radiation on earth. What s that? It s better known by its acrostic version now the laser. At first, no one was quite sure what to do with lasers. Has that ever changed in almost fifty years! Now lasers are used as supermarket scanners, to perform intricate eye surgeries and in exacting measuring devices. The FBI uses lasers to discover otherwise undetectable finger prints at crime scenes. Lasers weld car parts, husk peanuts, cut teeth in saws and even drill holes in baby bottle nipples. There just doesn t seem to be much end in sight for the effective use of lasers in our lives. And yet what is a laser, after all? It s light! And light is so often taken for granted and underestimated. Yes, light is just a basic form of energy, but when it s harnessed for specific purposes it has an unbelievably powerful impact. Jesus said something important about light. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Just like ordinary light, many people take Him for granted and underestimate His value and impact. That can even be true for those of us who are His followers. During this church season of Lent, we re considering most of Jesus I AM statements found in the Gospel of John. All of them are really pretty outrageous simply because each one is a proclamation of deity. Jesus is calling Himself God. It s actually a name or a title for God going back to Exodus 3 when God revealed Himself to Moses as I AM THAT I AM. But most of these great statements add a predicate I am the Bread of Life; I am the Door; I am the Good Shepherd just to name a few. And those predicates add a wonderful dimension. Each one touches our humanity in some profound way. So each I AM statement reveals how Jesus deity impacts our humanity. Now, when it comes to this statement I am the light of the world at least two great truths emerge for our consideration today. First IF JESUS IS THE LIGHT, HE IS LORD. Some Bible scholars have speculated that Jesus made this declaration on the first night of the Festival of the Tabernacles, a yearly worship celebration when the Jewish people remembered God s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Use your gift of imagination this morning as we go back some 2000 years to the great Temple in the city of Jerusalem. Imagine yourself sitting there in the galleries around the Court of the Women in the Temple. This court was also where the treasuries were located and many people were walking around putting in their offerings. Verse 20 says of Jesus, He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. (John 8:20 NIV) 1

2 On the first night of the Festival of the Tabernacles, a special ceremony was held called the Illumination of the Temple. The sun sets and the people gather in the temple area to witness a remarkable spectacle. Two great candelabra stand in the center of the court each candelabrum as tall as the temple walls themselves. Suddenly, each is set ablaze as a vivid reminder of the light that God had been to the Jewish people in the darkness of their exit from Egypt. Those candelabra give off such a blaze of light that every home in Jerusalem is lit up by their brilliance. Then the people begin to sing and dance with joy and praise to God all through the night. Try to capture that impressive scene in your mind the crush of people singing and praising God, the huge candelabra shining brightly, the excitement of the moment. Now, imagine what it must have been like when Jesus walked to the center of that court. All eyes turn to Him. He points to the candelabra and His voice rings out like thunder: I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. (John 8:12 NLT) It s no surprise that the people there most if not all Jewish in race and religion would have been deeply shocked by Jesus statement. Why? Those candelabra were reminders that God had led their ancestors from Egypt to the Promised Land by the pillar of cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night. It was a spectacular manifestation of light. When the pillar moved, Moses and the Jewish people moved. When it stopped, they stopped. That pillar of fiery light had been evidence of the very presence of God with them. He had been light in their darkness literally and spiritually as He led them through the wilderness. Light was a powerful image of God Himself. The Old Testament often compared God to light. The LORD is my light and my salvation so why should I be afraid?... (Psalm 27:1 NLT) sang King David. And Isaiah, the prophet, said, No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the LORD your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. (Isaiah 60:19 NLT) Do you see where Jesus is going with this statement? It was as if Jesus said, Yes, God s presence was in that pillar of fire for Moses and our ancestors. But now that pillar of light that manifestation of His presence is here again in a person. I am the light of the world. I am the light of life. These candelabra are shining brightly right now, but by morning they will have burned themselves out. I am the light which lasts forever and can never be diminished. Come, follow Me, and you will be able to walk in the light I provide forever. Isn t that downright outrageous? Imagine making that kind of claim about yourself! You would be an absolute megalomaniac unless your claim was true! That s the kind of assertion that demands a response. It s so grandiose; you must either accept it or reject it. You can t ignore it! The Jewish religious leaders of that day and time decided not to believe in Jesus or His claims. They challenged Him. They told Jesus He was making outrageous claims about 2

3 Himself that no one else could substantiate. Was there someone else that could corroborate this amazing, audacious, outrageous claim about Him? Jesus responds to this kind of legal objection in an interesting way. He basically suggests that their objection is irrelevant. Jesus knew He was in fact the Light of the world in the same way a great surgeon knows his or her diagnosis is accurate or a great judge knows his or her application of the law is correct. It s not pride. It s simply being sure of what you know. Jesus knew what He knew! But, then, Jesus goes on to add the fact that God Himself was witnessing to the validity of Jesus claims. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me. (John 8:18 NIV) How did God do that? If we took the time to look at other things Jesus said, we d learn that Jesus believed His words were God s witness on His behalf. No one could speak with His wisdom unless God had sent Him. Jesus also says that His deeds were God s witness. No one could do the miracles Jesus did unless God had sent Him. Jesus suggests that His effect on people was yet another way God witnessed to the validity of His claims. He works changes in people that are beyond human ability. Obviously, the greatest witness to Jesus authenticity is His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. There s no lack of evidence that Jesus was and is God in human flesh. The real problem is the stubborn unwillingness of the human heart and will to submit to that evidence. My friend, if you are sincerely searching for light in the darkness of this world, inevitably you will come to Jesus. And He is not just a light one good choice in the midst of other good choices; He is the one and only Light of the world. You might already know that darkness and light are images used frequently in the Bible to describe our spiritual condition without God (darkness) and what God has done in response (send light). For instance, the Bible says this about all human beings without God, Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. (Ephesians 4:18 NLT) It also says, people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. (John 3:19 NLT) Into that darkness God sent the Light Jesus. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:9 NLT) Jesus certainly recognized who He was and did not shrink from it, I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. (John 12:46 NLT) The little village of Rattenberg is the smallest town in Austria, and getting smaller each year. The town has lost 20 percent of its population in the past two decades, and as of 2005 had only 440 residents. The reason? Darkness. Rattenberg is nestled behind Rat Mountain a 3,000-foot obstruction that blocks out the sun from November to February. But thanks to some clever new technology, the town's situation is about to get a little brighter. An Austrian company has come up with a plan to bring sunshine into the darkness by 3

4 installing 30 heliostat mirrors onto the mountainside. The mirrors will grab light from reflectors on the sunny-side of the mountain and shine it back into the town. The project will not be cheap the European Union will cover half of the $2.4 million bill but if successful, will bring hope to the 60 other communities scattered throughout the Alps that endure the same kind of winter darkness each year. In the same way, God sent his own Light into our world in the person of His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus He offers us relief from the darkness of our own sin. That project also was not cheap. It was every expensive for God costing Him the life of His Son. But He Himself paid the bill and paid it in full. You have a choice. When you choose to follow Jesus, you choose spiritual enlightenment. You re given the light of life. As a flower blooms in the sunlight, your life will eventually blossom with His grace and beauty. When you reject Jesus, you choose spiritual darkness. Eventually your life will shrink, shrivel and surely die. The results of your choice are that stark, that radical and that certain. If Jesus is the Light, He is Lord. But here s a second truth to consider. IF JESUS IS THE LIGHT, HE WILL LEAD. A fundamental, continuing need in your life and mine is guidance, direction and leading through life s journey. Life is full of big decisions. None of us enjoy uncertainty about what pathway to take when faced with multiple choices. I suspect that this room is full of people who are weighing any number of crucial decisions about some aspect of your life today. Some of you are wondering whether to continue or discontinue an important relationship. Others of you are deciding whether to pursue or to find a new job or career. Here s a person deciding to spend or not spend a big sum of money. There s a person weighing the alternatives between changing your current living situation or staying put. Has the need for direction in your life become so acute at times that you cry out in exasperation and frustration, Lord, what is it that you want me to do? I ve been there and will likely be again! That s sometimes a very good place to be! When you ask, Lord, what is it that you want me to do?, you re assuming that God has a purpose and plan for your life. Indeed, He does! By calling Himself the Light of the world here, Jesus implies that He will lead you along life s journey. Guidance is one of the great benefits of being Jesus follower. When Jesus is your Light, you can be sure that He will provide direction at critical moments throughout your life - maybe not the direction you always want to go or in the exact timeframe that you want to receive it, but He will provide it. But, please notice that this promise is only for those who genuinely follow Jesus. I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. (John 8:12 NLT) That s such an important Bible concept to understand. If you ve grown up in a church, you ve heard the word discipleship often. Did you know there s no such word in the Bible discipleship? Disciple, yes, but discipleship, no. 4

5 The word that comes closest is following and it s always found as a verb rather than a noun. Being a disciple of Jesus is about following Jesus. How do you follow Jesus, then? If you look at how that same word is used in other places in the New Testament, it sheds some light on what Jesus means here. A soldier follows his officer. The follower of Jesus is a soldier whose commanding officer is Jesus. You do what He says to do. A slave follows his or her master. The follower of Jesus is a slave whose joy it is always to serve his or her Master, Jesus. A student follows the teaching or the advice of his or her mentor. The follower of Jesus obeys Jesus counsel and teachings. A citizen follows the laws and regulations of the country to which he or she belongs. The follower of Jesus follows the laws of the Kingdom of God. I m still learning that receiving the light of Jesus in the living out of my life and its decisions demands continual and personal submission. Here s a fair question to ask yourself, Do I really want the Lord s guidance in this situation? I like the story about this overweight guy who often stopped by the bakery on his way into work to pick up some goodies for the staff coffee break. It seems he finally decided to get serious about going on a diet. In order to avoid the temptation of the bakery, he started taking a different route to work. One day, however, he had to run an errand on the way into work that was very close to the bakery. As he approached the old bakery, he said to himself, Maybe God wants me to stop by the bakery this morning and pick up some goodies for the office staff. So he prayed, Lord, if you want me to stop at the bakery this morning make a parking spot available right in front of the bakery so there s no question in my mind. And, sure enough, there it was, a parking spot right in front of the bakery on his eighth trip around the block! Be careful that you don t manipulate a situation and then say, God led me to do it! Have you ever truly laid before Jesus the area of decision that you re struggling with today your job, your marriage, your family, your future, whatever and asked Him sincerely, Lord, what is it that You want me to do? If, behind that question, is genuine surrender to Jesus as your Lord, I have no doubt God will lead you. He won t allow you to stumble around in the darkness forever. So the secret of being led by Jesus in life s decisions is a moment by moment following of Jesus expressed through continual and personal submission. I believe that s what the Bible is implying when it says to us, If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. (James 1:5-6 NLT) And I believe that s what Jesus Himself implies in the passage we re studying today, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. (John 8:12 NLT) Lord, what is it that You want me to do? The answer will come to those who follow Jesus and who submit those decisions to the penetrating Light of Christ. So, my friend, what s the decision looming before you? What choice are you 5

6 faced with? What area of life is dark and mysterious? Bring it to the Light and have the courage to ask yourself some questions in the Light. What is my life s purpose? Is it to know and do the will of Jesus? Which of the alternatives before me fits in best with God s purpose for me? Does God s Word give me guidance in this matter? Sometimes the Bible gives specific direction. At other times, you might need to discern a biblical principle and how it applies to your situation. What do I sense the Holy Spirit indicating to me? Can I do this and honor God? Has God orchestrated certain circumstances that were beyond my control or have I manipulated the situation and claimed God was responsible? Would He bless and approve how I carry out every aspect of this decision? A certain harbor in Italy can only be reached by sailing up a narrow channel between dangerous rocks and shoals. Over the years, many ships have been wrecked and navigation is hazardous to say the least. So, to guide the ships safely into port, three lights have been mounted on three huge poles in the harbor. When those three lights are perfectly lined up and seen as one light, the ship s captain can safely proceed up the narrow channel. But if he sees two or three lights, he knows he s off course and in danger. God has provided at least three lights to guide us when we re faced with tough decisions. The Word of God the Bible is one light. The Holy Spirit s ability to communicate with and confirm God s will to your inner spirit is a second light. And then circumstances and events that God in His gracious providence arranges is a third light. Be careful if those three lights don t line up. If they don t line up, danger is ahead. But when those three lights do line up the Bible, the Holy Spirit and circumstances you can be quite sure it s safe to proceed. God is giving you His direction. Move ahead. Jesus said, I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. If Jesus is the Light, He is Lord. If Jesus is the Light your Light -, He will lead. 6