Jesus - The Light Of The World

Technology has come so far so fast during the last 100 years. Even in my lifetime, I am amazed at the advances that have been made. I am equally amazed at how much we take for granted modern technology with all of its benefits and conveniences.

One technology which we take for granted is the electric light. Most of us do not remember a time before electric lighting and, therefore, do not fully appreciate what a change that made to daily life. Yes, I dare say that it would be hard for us to imagine the huge difference there would be in our lifestyle without electric lighting.

Another Light that many take for granted, today, is Jesus. The coming of that Light changed the world forever. It is hard for us to appreciate His impact on the world because we have no recollection of the world before Jesus. Unless you read history books, the only hint of the impact made by Jesus - the Light of the World - is provided in the changed life of those who have truly been converted by Him.

I want us to consider the importance and blessings of Jesus as the Light of the world.

1. Light Brings Sight and Understanding.

If you look in the dictionary, the first definition for “light” is “something that makes vision possible.“ In other words, light makes it possible for us to see. Without light, we are hopelessly blind - blind to our surroundings, blind to our situations and circumstances, blind to even ourselves. Light makes it possible for us to see clearly – things as they really are.

Did you know that an absence of sunlight causes blindness? Animals who live out their lives in a complete absence of light are commonly blind, even eyeless. Mules kept in mines also become blind. Horses kept in dark stables and denied sunlight become blind. Those who live in dungeons, cellars, prisons, mines, and similar places that are denied sunlight lose their sight.

Before Jesus, most of the world was spiritually blind. It was unable to see spiritual reality. The world had became blind because it had rejected God. You see, as the apostle John says, “God is light.” If you push God out of your life, you will become blind. That is what the world did. Romans 1:21, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Mankind was spiritually blind and, therefore, spiritually lost. As Jesus said, in John 12:35, “he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.”

Mankind lost sight of who we are, where we come from, why we are here, and where we are going. Jesus came as light to help a blind world regain its sight. John 12:46, "I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.” John 9:39-41, “And Jesus said, ‘…I came into this world, that those who do not see may see.’”

1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding.”

Yes, through Jesus, we now know and understand we are created by a God Who loves us and wants a relationship with us. We now know and understand that our sin and rebellion has severed our relationship with our God. We now know and understand that we can regain that relationship now and forever through Christ Jesus. We now know right from wrong. We now know and understand the marvelous place prepared for those who strive to walk in His light and the terrible destiny of those who reject the True Light.

Thanks to Jesus, we can say ‘Once we were blind but now we see.’

II. Light Brings Life.

We learn in grade school that without sunshine there would be no life possible on earth. The sun provides the basis for all life on earth. The sun is the source of energy for all plants, and indirectly, for all animals. Take away the sunlight and all life on earth would soon perish. Sunlight sustains our lives not only due to the energy it gives us in our food but also because it helps our body synthesize vitamins. Too, it brings vitality to our red and white blood cells. Shut up the strongest man in a dark dungeon and he becomes pale like a corpse, loses physical vigor and strength, loses the power to resist disease and he will waste away.

As vital is sunlight for physical life, even so the Light of the Son of God is vital for spiritual life.

Paul says, in Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Furthermore, Romans 6:23 declares that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”