Post by foxjj on Sept 20, 2024 20:58:02 GMT
I Am the Light of the World
During the time of Jesus of Nazareth, the Temple Mount was the highest point in the city of Jerusalem crowned by the magnificent Temple which had taken King Herod forty years to build. The Temple was the center of Judaism, where pilgrims came to worship on the feast days and offer their sacrifices. In the treasury stood two very large golden lamp stands whose light could be seen beyond the Temple. In John chapter eight, we read of a conversation which took place in the treasury between Jesus and the Pharisees:
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.” - John 8:12-20 (ESV)
Light has always been associated with God, while darkness is associated with the absence of God. We find the first reference to light in Genesis 1:3-4: “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.”
The Psalms have many references to the significance of the light of Yahweh as in Psalm 27:1:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Another significant example is found in Psalm 119:105 which refers to the Scripture as God’s Word giving light to our lives:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.”
While referring to Messiah, Isaiah 42:6 declares:
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations.”
Messiah came in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, who declared Himself The Light of the World. The light Jesus offers leads believers out of darkness, and into everlasting life. In his first epistle, John wrote:
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 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.
Someone will ask, if this is the case, and God is so powerful, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world? In order to understand this, we must realize that one of the greatest gifts God has given humanity is the gift of choice. John 3:19-21 illustrates it this way:
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
Regarding the Father giving witness to Jesus, Matthew 3:16-17 records The Father giving witness to Jesus as His Son:
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
Because of Jesus’ Divinity, The God of The Bible is the only God who has personality experienced what it means to be human. That being so, He understands our strengths and weaknesses. This is The One who walked among the people of Palestine two thousand years ago, touching lives while calling people into the light; thereby rescuing them from spiritual darkness. Jesus also wants to touch your life, offering repentance; which gives peace. Will you repent and invite Him to be The Lord of your life? I have experienced His peace, and so will you, when you give your life to Him.
Today, let us give thanks for the light of Jesus.
John Joseph Fox.