I Am The Light Series

The Light of the World

John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

How can one cast a shadow of significance upon a world that is filled with constant change, ever evolving thought processes and constant innovation? In a world of quantum computers that can answer complex problems in just 200 seconds what would have taken the fastest supercomputer 10,000 years, where stem cells can be used to recreate all the cells in the bone marrow including the cancer ones that were destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy, where artificial intelligence can create images, answer questions, and perform complex tasks, and where genome editing give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA; standing out as “significant” seems like an exercise in futility! However, by stepping back and rejecting the common worldview that the temporal is all that matters, and by viewing both seen and unseen realms through the eyes of Christ, it becomes not only possible but divinely ordered to attain a level of significance beyond human comprehension. This perspective shifts the focus from transient achievements to eternal impact, rooted in divine purpose and understanding. Such a shift in worldview encourages contributions that transcend time, emphasizing spiritual and moral significance over merely technological or scientific accomplishments. In this light, true significance is found in actions and decisions aligned with our Creator!

Since this world is not our ultimate home, our true significance lies not in earthly accomplishments but in living lives worthy of the Gospel message, allowing our light to shine and help others see the truth that sets them free. While earthly achievements can enhance our quality of life, they should not be idolized or seen as the ultimate source of comfort. Humanity suffers from an “humanly” incurable disease called sin, which, if left untreated by God, leads to eternal death in hell without reprieve. As Christ’s ambassadors, we must let our light shine in this fallen world, helping others see the cross not as foolishness but as the path to true salvation, moving them away from self-reliance as their ultimate god. In today’s sermon, I will review Christ’s declaration that He is the light of the world and emphasize that real significance comes from being a child of God and doing good deeds that glorify God the Father in heaven.

Biblical background

To truly understand what Jesus meant by His statement, “I am the light of the world,” it is important to learn about the context in which it was spoken. This statement was made during one of the three great pilgrimage festivals of the Jewish year, the Festival of the Tabernacle or Booths. This festival began five days after the Day of Atonement the fifteenth day of the seventh month, mid-October and lasted seven days. This Festival was “celebrated against the backdrop of rejoicing for divine blessings,” not only represented by the bounty of the year’s harvest but also it reminded the Jewish people of the time God took care of them while they lived in booths wandering in the wilderness for 40 years (Leviticus 23:43). Everyone born an Israelite were required once a year (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:23) to construct and live in booths made out of “boughs of trees and branches of palm trees” for seven days (Leviticus 23:42) while they attended the Festival. On the first and last day of the Festival the Israelites would offer burn offerings unto the Lord. During the middle five days men danced and sang in the courtyards, while the Levites stood on the steps leading down from the court and played harps, lyres, cymbals and other instruments. Two priests blew trumpets while walking towards the eastern gate and once there they said, “Our fathers when they were in this place turned with their backs toward the Temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they worshiped the sun toward the east [referring to the apostasy of the Jews as described by Ezekiel]; but as for us, our eyes are turned toward the Lord” (m. Sukkah 5:4)

About halfway through the festival, Jesus went to the temple courts to preach (John 7:14). In the Court of Women, four large stands each holding four golden bowls were placed, and during the nighttime, these sixteen golden bowls were filled with oil and lit using the worn undergarments of the priests as wicks. Choirs of Levites would sing, and men would dance in the streets, singing hymns. It was also customary to visit the Pool of Siloam and return with water for a libation of thanksgiving to God. During this ceremony, Christ spoke to the crowds, declaring, “Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38) and proclaimed, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). In Scripture, darkness symbolizes stumbling (Isaiah 59:10; Jeremiah 13:16) and signifies falling from the right way (Jeremiah 18:15; Malachi 2:8) or being destroyed (Psalm 27:2; Jeremiah 20:11). In contrast, light represents God’s saving work: His first creation was light (Genesis 1:3), He led the Israelites in the wilderness with light (Exodus 13:21-22), and the Israelites sang, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). Jesus, who came to offer His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), is the Light that offers salvation and eternal life to the world.