Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Let There Be Light”
Overview of the passage
Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12
Response of the Jews
You are tooting your own horn. Prove your outrageous claims. Who can vouch for you?
Answer of Jesus
I can only speak truth.
I don’t need any earthly authentication.
I have my own witness as well as My Father’s witness.
Response of Jews
They wanted to seize Him but it was not yet his time.
Jesus continued teaching 21-30
Unless you respond to the light I have given you will die in you sin.
I am the only source of light outside of your dark world.
Unless you believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins.
I am here to reveal the light (truth) my Father sent me to reveal.
Response of some of the Jews
Many questioning Him
Is He going to kill himself? Who are you?
Many believing in Him
In order to appreciate this claim we need to take some time to understand the terms and ideas presented here and in other passages of Scripture. We somewhat understand darkness and light in a physical sense. Darkness results from one of two things.
1. Absence of a light source.
2. Inability to perceive a light source.
Regardless of the cause, physical darkness impedes mobility, perception of activity, ability to distinguish between objects without the use of other senses, depth perception, color perception and any number of other liabilities only those stumbling around in the darkness realize. What does Jesus mean when he claims to be the light of the world and what does it mean to walk in darkness? Jesus spoke to Jews familiar with the concepts from a spiritual perspective. When they heard Jesus, they should have immediately referenced the many prophecies and promises made by God. What darkness is Jesus talking about here? In what way is He the light in a dark world?
The following observations are a result of a study of many Old and New Testament passages on light darkness.
The Nature of Darkness
Spiritual Darkness = absence of personal righteousness
Spiritual Darkness = absence/ignorance of truth
Darkness = evil deeds and behavior
Darkness = living the lie, living without God’s revelation
Where there is no revelation, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law. Pro 29:18
Failing to live the truth is equal to darkness. There is a group of people who refuse to live by God’s standard and they are called the kingdom of darkness ruled by the prince of darkness. People live in darkness because of their behavior. (They love darkness because deeds are evil and light exposes their moral deficit.)
Avoid light places People practice the deeds of darkness because of their ignorance or failure to perceive the truth. (Satan has blinded them from the truth)
Unable to perceive light. All men are born in the darkness unable to perceive truth and citizens of an evil realm that naturally avoids the light (truth).
In order to see light two things must happen.
1. There must be a light source.
2. Something must be done to the individual in order to perceive that light source.
Isaiah wrote in a time of deep spiritual and moral darkness. In his prophesies we find both the nature of spiritual darkness and the promise of new light.
In 5:20, Isaiah pronounces God’s woe or curse on those who confuse light and dark.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20
Evil = darkness= bitter Good=light=sweet
We live in a world that continually calls evil good and good evil, who substitute truth with a lie and what is sweet with bitterness.
In 9:2-3 Isaiah prophesies a time when light will shine in darkness.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
You shall multiply the nation; You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence as with the gladness of harvest,
as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. Isaiah 9:2-3
In chapter 29:18-19 Isaiah enlarges on the promise of new light
And on that day the deaf shall hear words of a book,
and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
The afflicted also shall increase their gladness in the LORD,
and the needy of mankind shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:18-19
In chapter 42:16 He will lead the blind and guide them. Make darkness light before them. Make rugged places smooth.
In Isaiah 59:1-60:3 we find a comprehensive description of what spiritual darkness looks like and a promise that God will bring light in place of darkness.
Iniquities have separated us from God so that he hides his face and does not hear.
Hands defiled with blood
Fingers defiled with iniquity
Lips that speak falsehood
Tongue that mutters wickedness
No one settles disputes with integrity.
They trust confusion and speak lies.
They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity
They produce evil that perpetuates other evil and destruction.
They run to evil and shed innocent blood.
They continually think about iniquity.
All they do results in devastation and destruction
They do not know how to live in peace with others.
They are not concerned about justice.
There is a twist in everything they do.
Even though they hope for light (brightness) but continue to walk in darkness (gloom).
They grope like blind men along a wall who have no eyes to see.
They stumble around in broad daylight like other do in the dark.
They are like dead men without energy.
They growl like bears and moan like doves.
They hope for justice but find none.
Salvation is far from them because they only multiply their transgressions before God.
Their continual sin testifies to their rebellion.
They are aware of their iniquities but continue to transgress and deny the Lord and turn away from Him.
They speak oppression and revolt.
They conceive and utter lying words from an evil heart.
They fight against true justice and righteousness is nowhere to be found.
Truth has stumbled in the street and prevents uprightness from entering society.
Truth is lacking and those who try to live by the truth become a target.
Isaiah describes God’s reaction to man’s darkness
It was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.
He was astonished that there was no man to intercede.
Since Adam, moral darkness has permeated the human race. Following is additional insights into the nature of darkness.
• Those living in darkness are unable to comprehend the light. (John 1)
• Those living in darkness refuse to come into the light because of their actions.
• Those living in darkness belong to the kingdom of Satan. (Acts 26:15-18)
• Satan blinds the minds of those living in darkness preventing perception of light (truth) 2Cor 4:3-6
• The deeds of darkness include carousing drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, sensuality, strife, and jealousy. (Rom 13:12-14)
• There is a place of eternal black darkness reserved for the wicked. (Jude 1)
• Anyone who claims to be a son of light and fails to love his brother still walks in darkness.
• Hate blinds us and puts us in darkness resulting in a life of aimless wandering. 1Joh 2:7-11
• The wicked walk in darkness and aren’t even able to discern what they trip over. Pr 4:19
• The one who speaks evil of parents will not have light in a time of darkness. Pr 20:20
• Those living in darkness speak perverse things, leave the paths of uprightness, walk in the ways of darkness, delight in doing evil, rejoice in the perversity of evil, follow crooked paths and are devious in their ways. Prov 2:10-15
• Darkness of soul is related to what we allow ourselves to look at.
"The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Matthew 6:22-23
• Satan is the prince of darkness yet tries to pass himself off as an angel of light.2Cor 11:13
• Moral darkness is orchestrated by Satan and his worldwide army of evil angels. Eph 6:12
Those in darkness have no access to a source of light.
Those in darkness have no ability to perceive light.
What is the answer to this moral dilemma? More laws? Better leaders? Man’s attempts to light his own world are futile. He has no light source in himself.
The Nature of the light
Isaiah also describes God’s Action to resolve the darkness dilemma.
Isaiah 59
"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
"For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples;
But the LORD will rise upon you, And His glory will appear upon you. "And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
That light for the world was and is still today, JESUS
• Jesus is the light, the truth of God. Jn 1
• Jesus came to both teach and live the truth.
• Jesus came to enlighten men living in darkness. Jn 1
• Jesus is the only way out of darkness
“Believe in Me that you may not remain in darkness.” Jn 12:45
“Believe in the light that you may(yourselves) become sons of light.” Jn 12:35-36
• The Gospel message focuses on Jesus Christ as Lord who is the light promised by God.
• God promised that His light would shine in the dark world.
• Those who turn to Christ experience God’s enlightenment enabling them to perceive the light of the knowledge of his glory in Christ.
2 Cor 4:3-6
• God’s light is God’s goodness, righteousness and truth. Eph 5
• Yahweh is my lamp who illumines my darkness 2 Sam 22:29
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1
For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Psalm 36:9
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
Jesus is light. God is light. The Holy Spirit illumines. The Trinity itself is light.
There is NO darkness in him at all.
Nature of Light
Science tells us that light is constituted of three rays, or groups of wavelengths, distinct from each other, no one of which without the others would be light. Each ray has its own separate function. The first originates, the second formulates, illuminates or manifests, and the third consummates. The first ray, often called invisible light, is neither seen nor felt. The second is both seen and felt. The third is not seen but is felt as heat.
• We lie when we claim to be a child of the light and yet continually practice the things associated with the kingdom of darkness.
• When we live according to the truth (walk in the light) as followers of Jesus who is light we enjoy fellowship with one another and Christ’s blood continues to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (darkness?).
• The core demonstration of those who walk in the light is love for each other.
• It is not perfect and the darkness (failure to love) is passing away and the love of Christ (true) light is already shining on the earth.
• Loving one another illumines our life and eliminates stumbling. 1 John 2:7-11
Paul talks about this love in 1 Corinthians 13 and the fact that it is not yet perfect but we see life now through a fogged up lens. (Perceive through a glass darkly).
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Cor. 13:12
• The righteous follows a bright path that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Pr 4:19
Light = Christ, righteousness, truth, holiness, the things that please God, the nature and character of God.
When Jesus claims to be the light of the world he fulfills two crucial tasks.
1. Jesus is the very source of light, truth, illumination, revelation, wisdom and reality.
2. Jesus is not only the light source, but as John will graphically illustrate in the next chapter, Jesus also restores sight to the blind both physically and spiritually so as to perceive the light.
Responsibility of those belonging to the kingdom of light
Receive the light
• One must turn from the kingdom of darkens to God in the kingdom of light.
When one turns from darkness to light by faith they receive forgiveness of sins and an eternal inheritance. Acts 26:15-18
Paul gave praise to God for the Colossians who heard and understood the truth of the Gospel shared by Ephaphrus and demonstrated by their in Christ and love for the saints.
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:12-14
Reflect the light
• Come to the light so that your lifestyle may demonstrate your transformation. Jn 3:21
Paul encourages the Romans
• Live godly (deeds of light) knowing that the time of light is at hand.
• Lay aside deeds associated with the kingdom of darkness (carousing, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, sensuality, strife, and jealousy) avoiding opportunities for the flesh to get its way.
• Put on Jesus, the protection of light, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Rom 13:22-14
Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers to walk in light by reminding them of their core identity in Christ.
Formerly you were darkness.
Now you are light in the Lord.
• Do not partake in the deeds of the sons of disobedience (darkness) that makes God angry
• Do not participate in deeds of darkness
• Walk as children of light trying to learn what pleases the Lord not angers the Lord.
• Expose the deed of darkness.
• Wake up from your sleep (darkness) and Christ will shine on you.
• Walk carefully and wisely surrendering to the control of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:6-18
Paul exhorted the Corinthians to live like children of the kingdom of light not the kingdom of darkness
• Don’t become linked with unbelievers
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
"I will DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
"Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord.
"And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.
"And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,"
Says the Lord Almighty.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1
Paul encourages the Thessalonians
You are not in darkness (without understanding of God’s future plans)
You are sons of light and sons of day.
You are not of the night or darkness.
THEREFORE
• Don’t sleep
• Be sober and alert having put on the protection of faith and love and salvation. 1 Thes5:4-11
Reveal the light
• We are now the light of the world
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. "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. Matthew 5:14-16
• Live as lights in the world
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may 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, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. Philip. 2:12-16
• God uses people to open eyes that people may turn from darkness to light. Acts 26:15
In Isaiah 42:6-8 we read how God commissioned Israel as a light to the nations.
"I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon, And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.
God calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light and we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession that we may proclaim the marvelous works of God. Peter 2:9
Conclusion
There is only one answer to the dilemma of darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. Without Him mankind has no source of light or ability to perceive light and stumbles around in darkness.
Paul prayed for the Colossians hearts
That their may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding (light), resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:2-3
John encountered the brightness of the Light of the world not only at the Mount of Transfiguration but also in his vision of the end times.
And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His breast with a golden girdle. And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire; and His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Rev. 1:18
Rev. 1:12-17
Even though we live in a dark world and still don’t have full perception of truth and sometimes stumble in the dark, we have the hope that one day, we will see Jesus the light of the world face to face. Because of his light, darkness of all kinds will never more rule the righteous.
For the righteous…
And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever. Rev. 22:5
For those who reject the light…
These men are those who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. Jude 1:12-13
Receive the Light into your life.
Rejoice that you are children of light.
Reflect the Light by your life.
Reveal the Light to others.
What has God said to me today?
Know – Feel - Do
