John 1:9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
Introduction:
Yesterday we considered the question: what is meant by Jesus' statement about He being "The Light"? It was demonstrated the many scriptures that either refer to Jesus Himself and/or Yahweh of the Old Testament, the description of Jesus as "The Light" is yet another affirmation of His Deity. Today's post will focus specifically on the statements in John's writings that refer to Jesus Christ as "The Light". The goal is to glean specific life application so as to aid the reader in applying the implications of Jesus' identity to their lives. Furthermore, by considering such life application, a final worship application will urge the reader to use this title "The Light" to give praise and honor to Jesus Christ, "The Light of the World".
Life Application Jesus as "The Light of the World" in John's writings
A quick survey of John's usage of this title in his Gospel and writings will unfold the significance of Jesus Christ as "The Light".
1. True Light. John 1:9 - "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." Following Jesus Christ will aid you and I to always have the truth we need for salvation and daily living. In a world where many people claim there is no such thing as "absolute truth", the scriptures reveal that such truth exists not only in principle but in the Person of the Son Who is both God and man. John 3:19 states - "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil."
2. Illuminating Light. John 8:12 - "Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Whenever we fellowship and walk with Jesus Christ, the light of the world, we have illumination. Without Jesus Christ, I would not know "who I am" or "Whose I am". Moreover, we would not be able to make sense of the scriptures, which the Holy Spirit illumines for the sake of showing us Jesus Christ, The Great Illuminator! John 12:46 states - "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John then writes in 1 John 1:5,7 - "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." 7. but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
3. Hopeful Light. 1 John 2:8 - "On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining." To have Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, means we have unending hope in a hopeless world, joy in the midst of sorrow and clarity amidst much confusion. Revelation 22:5 portrays the ultimate destiny of followers of Jesus - "And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever." The logic that is gleaned from these texts with regards to Jesus Christ's identity as "The Light" can be summarized in the following syllogism (logical argument):
1. God is the Light 2. Jesus Christ is called "The Light" Therefore Jesus Christ is God
Worship Application Jesus as "The Light of the World" in John's writings
We have seen that Jesus Christ as "The Light of the World" is the True light, the Illuminating light and the Hopeful Light. When we bow our hearts and knees to Him as Savior and Lord, His truth makes clear the identity to which God has called us to be. We have fellowship and closeness with the very God of eternity. As the glory of Jesus Christ illuminates our hearts and minds to Himself, we discover that worship is likened to a bride kissing her husband. The veil of what the natural mind perceives to be important is pulled back and all things are wide-open before Him Who knows all and sees all. Then as the Hopeful light, we can live a 24/7 lifestyle of worship and praise to the One Who saved us and bought us. Matthew 5:16 has Jesus reminding us - "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." It has been said that it is more effective to light a candle than curse the darkness. Paul writes in Philippians 2:15-16 "so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain."
May you and I make our light so shine before men and may we hold forth to a dark and dying world the light of the incarnate Son - the Light of the World.
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