JESUS IS..
(Jesus - The Light of the world - March 28, 2021)
Series Big Idea: "Jesus is everything any of us need"
Sermon Big Idea: "Jesus, the Light of the world, wants to shine on us"
Key Scripture (John 8:12 )
It has been said that human beings have a great need. They are not always aware of that need. But it is still there. Humanity is in darkness. Man cannot see into the future or into the next world. He cannot see God. He can't see who He is or what He is like. He can't see the real purpose of life; the significance of it all. He can't seem to grasp perfect knowledge. So, man's greatest need is to see. That is what I want us to focus upon in this sermon. Jesus said He was the Light of the world.
(John 8:12)
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
I like what a particular commentator has to say about this verse. This verse must be put into context if we are to understand what Jesus meant by these words. He was at the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2). The ceremony that kicks the Feast off is significant to His claim. It is called the Illumination of the Temple. It was held in the Court of the Women. The center of the Court would have been surrounded by stadium like seating. In the open space of the Court there would have been four huge candelabra. These candelabra were then lit at dusk and the elders danced and led the people in singing psalms before the Lord all night.
The glow from the burning flames of these candelabra were said to be so bright that the light could be seen throughout Jerusalem. This could have been the scene as Jesus cried out. "I am the Light of the world."
To the Jewish people that Christ was speaking to, the symbol of the light would have be profound. For them, the ritual of the feasts and festivals throughout the year was something they were accustomed to celebrating and must have been something they knew by heart. But Christ didn’t leave them guessing as to what He meant and what this would mean for them.
There is an immediate consequence in what He says next; "Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness." This is an appropriate thing to do with light if it is the glorious pillar of cloud setting out the way in the wilderness. They were celebrating this very event when God led their ancestors out of the desert with a cloud and fire (light).
Sadly, the religious rejected the claims that Jesus made. They knew what He was claiming. He was claiming that He was the Messiah and that He alone could give light to the world. In their minds only God could give light to the world.
CONCLUSION
What does this mean for us today? It means exactly what it meant to the Jewish people he was talking to that day. Jesus brings light to the world. We as humans don’t posses light within us by nature. By nature we are in darkness. We are delivered out of darkness by following Jesus Christ.
How is Jesus the Light in your world? Or maybe a better way to phrase the question is, how were you in darkness before you believed in Jesus?
The light of the world wants to shine on us: on those who need the light of the gospel for initial salvation; on those who need the light of wisdom for the confusing problems of life; on those who need an understanding of Scripture and the great themes of the Bible like the deity of Christ and eternal life. Jesus as the light of the world wants to brighten our world and enable us to reflect his brilliance.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord/Roy B. Zuck
The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith
Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.
NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture
Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson
Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Revised edition of New Bible Companion.
Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.
Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.
Borchert, Gerald L. John 1–11. Vol. 25A. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. Print. The New American Commentary.
Kruse, Colin G. The Letters of John. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos, 2000. Print. The Pillar New Testament Commentary.
Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Vol. 4. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
Burge, Gary M. John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.
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