Articles

I Am the Light of the World

Brenda Myree • Jesus Christ
In our continued series on the "I Am's", what did Jesus mean when He said, "I Am the light of the world"? Let's explore the meaning and supporting scripture as to this light, what it means, why do we need it and how is it relevant today.
In John 8:12 Jesus states:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

According to Websters Unabridged Dictionary, "Light" means:  "That agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous.   Life; existence, the power of perception by vision.  That which illumines or makes clear to the mind; mental or spiritual illumination; enlightenment; knowledge; information."  Websters continues with "to set fire to; to cause to burn; to set burning, to ignite; to kindle; to give light to; to illuminate, to fill with light; to spread over with light."

So, lets explore these meanings as they relate to scripture and Jesus as the light of the world.  In the old testament, if we look at the tabernacle, there were three areas.  The outer court, the inner court (holy place), and the most holy place.  When Jesus made the statement, "I Am the way, the truth and the life", He was saying that He was the fulfillment of the tabernacle.  He is the way, the outer court where cleansing and sacrifice took place as Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.  He was the Lamb of God, pure and holy.  He is the inner court, the holy place.  In the inner court was the  shewbread and the menorah (lamp) were kept.  The menorah, the light.  Light which represents revelation and truth.  Spiritual illumination, enlightenment, perception and vision.  And, of course, He is the most holy place where the ark of the covenant was kept, the mercy seat where the blood was poured for the remission of sins. 

John 1:1-4, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."  Darkness cannot understand light because it is opposite of light.  Jesus, the way the truth and the life, the light that shines in darkness is opposite of evil... evil cannot comprehend goodness, life, truth.

In John 1:7 it says about John, "This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe."  John was not the Light but he came to bear witness of the Light.  The Light is a person - "that all through him (the light) might believe".  It continues in John 1:9 "That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.  John 3:19, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  Light is rejected by darkness because the darkness cannot comprehend it.  It is strange, different and darkness cannot remain when light enters.  Darkness, evil, sin, wrong thinking, cannot exist where there is light.  When you go into a dark room and turn on the light switch, the room lights up, the darkness is gone.  So it is when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Light enters our spirit and the darkness, the sin, the evil must leave.

John 8:12 shows us further that Jesus was the enlightenment, the revelation of who God is, He illuminated darkness and evil had to leave, "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  John 9:15 continues, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  John 12:36, "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness."  If we abide in Jesus, the light will show us little by little, from faith to faith and glory to glory, the darkness in our lives that needs to be removed so that we no longer abide in darkness, ignorance, wrong thinking so that we begin to see the Kingdom of God and who we are in Christ.

In Philippians 2:15 Paul tells us that we are the light of the world, ". . . that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,".  Jesus ascended to heaven.  While we are here, we are to show forth His light which is in us.  We are now lights of the world in Christ Jesus.  When we show up at our jobs, home or anywhere, darkness should flee.

Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."    You are a light in the world set high on a hill as a beacon bringing light, revelation, and truth to those who abide in darkness.  I remember the children's song we used to sing as a child, "this little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine . . ", I don't want to have a little light but a beacon drawing men to the Light of the World, Jesus.  Show forth the Truth.  Jesus, the Word, is Truth. 

Isaiah 60:1-2

 Arise, shine;
      For your light has come! 
      And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 
       2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, 
      And deep darkness the people; 
      But the LORD will arise over you, 
      And His glory will be seen upon you. 

So let your light shine.  Be a light to those who dwell in darkness.  Draw them to Jesus by the light that abides in you because you abide in Christ.  Let the river of life flow from your inner most being.  When people look at you do they say, "something is different about you, I can't put my finger on it but you look different."  Could it be that the Light of Jesus is shining upon you, that when people look at you they see Jesus.  By speaking to you, are you speaking forth Truth, revelation and life?




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