DISCOVERING THE LIGHT OF LIFE

John 8:12-20

Spoken near the temple treasury

• Thirteen chests (trumpets) along the wall of the colonnaded porch in the court of women.

• People placed offerings in them.

A ceremony called the Illumination of the Temple

• Four great candelabra in the center of the court were lighted at dark.

Light is defined as:

• Something spiritual.

Something material.

Jesus said, "I Am The light of the world."

• phos = – Light as seen by the eye

and – metaphorically as reaching

the mind.

• Light is the mode of God’s expression of Himself.

JESUS IS THE REALITY OF OLD TESTAMENT IMAGERY

the Shekinah Glory of God

• represented by the pillar of fire

The Glory of the Lord

• which filled the temple so that the priests could not enter to do their work

the Seven-branched Lampstand

• illuminating in worship

JESUS DOES WHAT LIGHT DOES

photosynthesis

• Essential to the process of life and food

warmth

• basic to comfort.

visibility

• The art of knowing

the appreciation of beauty

• The spectrum of color

Joy

• Sunlight can make us feel better.

Jugement

• For leaks • Color • Durability• Freshness of an egg.

JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF MORAL LIGHT

The Bible contrasts light and darkness

• Jn 1:4-5 "In him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

• I Jn 2:9-10 "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. ~Whoever loves his brother lives in the light and there is nothing in him to make him stumble."

Light dispels darkness.

• Jesus has come as the light of the world. – Jn 1:9 "The true light that gives light to every

man was coming into the world."– I Jn 2:8 "Yet I am writing you a new command;

its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining."

His presence brings moral purity

• Eph. 5:8-11 "For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, Live as children of Light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

How does this relate to me?

The Honesty of Confession brings us to the light.

• Jn 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

. Transparency enables us to live in the light..

• I Jn 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Christ’s presence in us makes us light.

• "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. – Mt 5:14-16