"I Am the Light of the World"

“I am the light of the world.” This statement is found in two places in the book of John – John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world . Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." And John 9:5, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John actually refers to Jesus s the “light of the world” many other times. For example John 1: 4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” John 3:19 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” John 12:35"You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you.” John 12: 46 ‘I have come into the world as a light , so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” Of all the “I am’s” of John, this one seems the easiest to understand. Bu it is not quite as easy as it looks. Some scholars suggest that He said it during the Jewish festival known as the Feast of the Tabernacles. At this time, there was a big nighttime celebration in the temple. Two huge brass candelabras were lit on either side of the courtyard, illuminating the whole court. They suggest that Jesus had his eye on those two candelabras when he declared Himself the “Light of the World.” Others suggest Jesus was actually referring to something from the Book of Exodus. Every night in the wilderness a pillar of fire to lit the way. They believe this Jesus meant by the “Light of the World.” Still others suggest that Jesus was referring to the Greek philosopher Plato. Plato believed there were two Gods who made the world—a God of Light and a God of Darkness. The God of light made all good things, including ideas and emotions. The evil god made material things—houses, trees, rocks, mosquitoes, and alligators. Plato’s followers believed one day the God of Light would send an emissary—a being of pure light into the dark world to light the way. This could also be what he meant by the “light of the world.” You can take your pick between these views. Frankly, it makes no difference. We all know what it means-- --Or maybe we don’t. We take light for granted. We have electricity, and can see as well in the dark as we can in the light. All we have to is to flip a switch. One of the unforgettable sights I saw in Guinea-Bissau Africa was a late night trip through the countryside and villages where there was no electricity. I remember seeing lanterns with dozens, perhaps hundreds of people crowded around, their faces shining in the light. Like moths to a flame, people gathered to light in a light-deprived world. Wouldn’t it be great if people crowded around the light of God the same way people hunger for physical light? Today you practically have to beg people to come to a Bible study. If people only knew how precious light was, they might seek it differently. But they don’t. The light’s there, people just aren’t seeking it. John wrote about these people in 1 John 2:9-11 “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” John describes a person without the light of God. He’s hopeless. He walks around in darkness and doesn’t know where he’s going. He walks in darkness. He stumbles in the darkness. Gets lost and doesn’t know how to go home, because he is blind. In such a place like this, you would think people would be clambering for all the light they could get. They don’t. Most people don’t even care. There are two kinds of people who don’t care for light. First there are the blind. They are people who don’t even know what they are missing. The deaf and blind learn to enjoy life in the narrow spectrum of senses that they have. A deaf man can enjoy a painting, but he cannot enjoy a symphony. A blind person can enjoy a symphony, but they cannot enjoy a play. They do not see so they cannot know what they are missing. Go to any big party—Mardi Gras, Times Square New Year’s Eve, Myrtle Beach at Spring Break. Vegas—anywhere people gather. In the midst of that party, stand up and yell at them. “Come to the Light of Jesus!” and see what happens These folks do not look like they are suffering. They drink, laugh, flirt, carouse, but they aren’t suffering.. At best they would pity you. They think they are living the good life, not you. The people on the Titanic did not know they were in trouble with the ship hit the iceburg. Witness say they heard only a little bump. People in New Orleans breathed a sigh of relief on the morning after Katrina, when it looked like they had escaped the worst of it, That is, until the water started pouring in. The people of Noah’s day had a wonderful time before it started to rain. The reason they had a great time was because they did not know the truth. They did not see the doom before them. But are they really having that good of a time? They think they are, but what do they know to compare it to? Consider how what it takes for to have a good time. The only way they can is to get drunk, spend a lot of money, or sleep around. The toll for what they perceive to be fun is way too high. It can cost their lives. At the end, they get nothing but a brief high. They are like crack cocaine users who throw their lives away for a high that lasts only ten minutes. For that people are willing to risk their futures? How can they throw away their lives for such a small rush? I have met whole families of alcoholics. Every family reunion, ever occasion had to have alcohol. They knew the toll drinking takes on their family, but they don’t seem to care. In their alcoholic haze, they do not know that you could have a good time without drinking. Those are the ones who John says live in darkness, walk around in darkness, and do not know how to go home, because the darkness has blinded their eyes. But Jesus says “I am the light of the world.” “I.” He is himself the key to a better, more satisfying life. He is the light that shows them how to get there. Jesus gives us the way to another life of harmony with God and others. There is long lasting, permanent happiness. We don’t have to run from anything. It has been there for us all along. But the blind are not the only ones who do not crave the light. There are others who suffer from too much of it. They have Jesus as their light, but they also have a dozen other. They cannot be led, because they are so distracted. Or else they have spent their entire life procrastinating. They have seen the light so long that it has lost its meaning and appeal. My doctor tells me that there are two types of diabetes. One type—Type I is a genetic condition where the body does not produce enough insulin to cope with sugar. Blood sugar build up and causes all kinds of strange conditions. Only a few people have thi condition. But Type II diabetes is much more common. In this condition people produce lots of insulin. However, they eat a lot of sugar. After a while, the body cannot keep up with insulin production so it gives up trying. The insulin no longer works. Even with an abundance of insulin, they die of a disease. The Gospel is like insulin. We have a lot of the grace of God, but we also need a lot. We need a lot because we are of the mistaken opinion that our sin won’t hurt us. So as the sin mounts, we keep applying the Gospel. Sooner or later, the light of God no longer moves us. Then we find ourselves in trouble Ray Stedman, in a sermon on this passage, wrote of a trip he took to the Grand Canyon with some friends. When it got dark, they stoppes b the sid of the road to sleep. They spread out their sleeping bags at a quiet spot and slept the night. The next morning, he woke up, reached out hand into thin air. They had stopped for the evening inches from a cliff. If they had gone in the darkeness even a few inches more, they would have fallen. How many Christians are like that. We have come to take the light for granted. We have assumed that because we were believers, that was all we needed to do to find Jesus. But Jesus says "I am the light of the world . Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The light I more than a convenience. It is life to us. Following Jesus is not an option. It is the only option. The ones who have been rased in the light have forgotten why they need it. The light is not God’s rules. It is not even God’s principles. The light if following Jeuss. It is walking ever day in His presence and guidance Quit taking God for granted. Maybe you followed Him in the past. That doesn’t count. Walking with the Light is walking with Him now. Today. Don’t risk stumbling. Build a relationship with Jesus today