The Light Of The World

Stody 16-02-03

I am the Light of the World (Jn 9:5)

Mars Bar Question: There is a famous oil painting related to our theme today which was painted in Great Britain. Can you guess what it is called? Here are some clues

1. There are three original copies

2. The first copy was painted between 1851-1853

3. The artist had the following Bible verse printed on the frame: ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me’.

4. One copy is in Manchester City Art Gallery

5. A second copy is in Keble College Oxford

6. The third is in St. Paul’s Cathedral

7. The artist was Holman Hunt

The picture is the Light of the World. Let me show you a copy of it.

As I mentioned last month, our themes this year are based on the "I AM" statements of Jesus in the Gospel according to St. John

Question: Can you recall the “I am” Statements I mentioned last month?

Answer:

Before Abraham was born, I AM (Jn 8:58)

I am the Bread of life (Jn 6:35)

I am the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11;25)

I am from above (Jn 8:23)

I am the Light of the World (Jn 9:5)

I am the True Vine (Jn 15:1)

I am the Son of God (Jn 10:36)

I am the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:14)

I am the Door (Jn 10:7)

I am the Way the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6)

Question: Last month which of these did we look at?

Answer: Before Abraham was I am

Today we are looking at Jesus’ statement:

I AM the Light of the World

Question: Can anyone tell me the fives senses we have

1. Sight

2. Hearing

3. Smell

4. Touch and

5. Taste

And which one of these is Jesus talking about today? SIGHT

In our story today, Jesus transformed the darkness of the man who had been born blind into Light.

And just as Jesus gave sight to the blind man so Jesus gives us spiritual light in the darkness of this world.

How does Jesus give us light today:

1. HIS TEACHING

One of the most important aspect that Jesus is our light is by his teaching.

Can you think of any expressions that have entered the English language because of Jesus’ teaching:

1. “Take the beam out of your own eye”

2. “Turn the other cheek”

3. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”

4. “Go the extra mile”

5. “Be a Good Samaritan”

6. “The Prodigal Son”

7. “Do to others as you would have them do to you”

8. No man can serve two masters

9. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

10. Don’t cast your pearls before swine”

11. Judge not and you shall not be judged”

12. “Don’t hide your light under a bushel”.

However, the most important teaching Jesus gave us was how we should live towards God and those around us:

Question: Can you remember what the two greatest commandments were ?

Answer: Jesus said:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mt 22:37-39)

Jesus’ teaching is a beacon or a light in this world of darkness.

2. HIS LIFESTYLE

Story: In the 19th Century (before radar was invented) ships avoided each other by looking out for beacons or lights on other ships. And they communicated with each other by signalling with flags in a sort of morse code.

One day a battleship was out on manoeuvres and the captain of the battleship saw a beacon on the horizon.

He realised that his ship was on a collision course with it. So he called his signaller and told him. "Flash the following signal over there ”We are on a collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees."

The reply came back "Advise you to change course 20 degrees."

The captain signaled back, "Who do you think you are - telling a Captain in the Royal Navy what to do."

The response came back "I’m a seaman second class, you still better change your course 20 degrees.”

By this time the captain was furious. He signalled back "I’m a battleship. I won’t change my course but I am ordering you to change course 20 degrees."

The reply came back: "I’m a lighthouse. Be my guest."

Jesus is a lighthouse in this world of darkness. He showed us where it is safe to go and where it is dangerous to go.

Jesus never wrote a book, he never held a public office, he didn’t travel more than 200 miles from his home town in all his life.