I was struck as I read John Chapter eight, verse 12 in particular. It reads, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (NKJV). What struck me is the simplicity yet profundity of this verse. Jesus who happens (no accident) to be in Jerusalem at the Festival of Tabernacles (cf., John 7:10) declares to a crowd of people gathered at the Temple, “I am the Light of the world”. Why was this so significant? Pastor Brian Bill sheds light on this festival of Tabernacles, “In order to fully grasp the impact of Jesus’ statement, we need to understand the Feast of Tabernacles. God inaugurated this annual feast to help the Israelites remember that for 4 decades they wandered in the wilderness before they were finally brought into the Promised Land (see Leviticus 23:40-43). There were two distinctives about this celebration that made it different from all their other annual feasts.
1. For 7 days the entire nation camped out in booths or tents made of branches and foliage to remind them of the hardships their ancestors had endured in the wilderness.
2. On the opening night of the celebration, four gigantic candelabras standing 75 feet high were lit, gloriously illuminating the entire Temple and much of Jerusalem (this is not to be confused with the ever-burning lampstand or menorah that was in the tabernacle according to Exodus 25). Each candelabra for the Feast of Tabernacles had four branches supplied by golden bowls filled with 10 gallons of oil. These flames leapt toward the sky.
Throughout the week the light burned brightly as the religious leaders praised the Lord and sang songs of joy while the people watched and waited. Musicians played harps, lyres, cymbals and trumpets. This festival was to remind the Israelites of the glory of God, dwelling among them and how God’s Shekinah brightness had once filled the Temple. This celebration also focused on the promise of God to send a light, the Anointed One, the Messiah, who would deliver them from darkness and despair. Sacrifices were offered and Scriptures like Isaiah 9:2 were read: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” The exquisite imagery of this celebration culminates on the final day of the feast as Jesus declares: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We know that Jesus makes this statement on the last day from John 7:37. ”1
When Jesus declares that He is the “Light” He is boldly declaring that He is the promised Anointed one, the Messiah. I’ve heard people argue that Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if you study all seven of the Major Feasts of Israel, you will discover that all of them point to and find their fulfillment in the person of Christ.
When Jesus declares that He is the “Light” He is boldly declaring that He is the promised Anointed one, the Messiah. I’ve heard people argue that Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if you study all seven of the Major Feasts of Israel, you will discover that all of them point to and find their fulfillment in the person of Christ.
Let me address the subject of Light for a moment. Light is VERY important for several reasons:
1. Light reveals that which is hidden. It uncovers that which we can’t see.
2. Light gives life. It supplies the energy for life to thrive.
3. Light scatters darkness. Light and darkness can’t co-exist.
4. Light gives warmth.
5. Light provides guidance
So, what did Jesus mean when he declared that He was the Light not just of Israel, or Judea or Palestine BUT of the World? He meant that He and He ALONE was mankind’s ONLY source of true Spiritual illumination and guidance. Jesus states three truths related to His being the Light. First, He says, “...WHOEVER follows Me will NEVER walk in Darkness”. When one is a follower/Disciple of Christ the Messiah, he or she will NEVER (Double negative in Greek) walk (I.e., live their lives, to walk around) in spiritual and moral ignorance, blindness and deadness. The key here is being a FOLLOWER of Christ, not just merely a "believer". There are many who "believe" in Jesus BUT don't follow Jesus. The Bible teaches in James that Satan "believes" in Jesus BUT is certainly not a Follower of Jesus (James 2:19). In a nutshell a follower of Christ is someone who ongoingly reflects the character and priorities of Christ in his or her daily life. The moment you stop following Jesus is the moment you get into trouble. The writer to the Hebrews gives followers of Christ this very good advice, “...... And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith (NIV). This passage from Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 & 2 teaches us that if we’re to be successful followers of Christ we MUST keep our undivided attention on Christ.
The Second truth related to Christ being the Light is that Everyone who is NOT a follower of Christ is RIGHT NOW in Darkness. It matters not what a person’s financial, educational or social standing may be. If said person is NOT a follower of Jesus the Messiah, he or she is spiritually dead (Cf., Eph 2:1). This means that when it comes to the things of God they are incapable of responding because they are spiritually deaf, dumb and blind. They can’t hear God, they can’t speak the things of God, they can’t see God. Now here is the REALLY tragic news. If a person dies in their state of moral/spiritual darkness, they will spend the rest of ETERNITY in that state. The Bible calls this state HELL (cf., Matt 8:12).
The Second truth related to Christ being the Light is that Everyone who is NOT a follower of Christ is RIGHT NOW in Darkness. It matters not what a person’s financial, educational or social standing may be. If said person is NOT a follower of Jesus the Messiah, he or she is spiritually dead (Cf., Eph 2:1). This means that when it comes to the things of God they are incapable of responding because they are spiritually deaf, dumb and blind. They can’t hear God, they can’t speak the things of God, they can’t see God. Now here is the REALLY tragic news. If a person dies in their state of moral/spiritual darkness, they will spend the rest of ETERNITY in that state. The Bible calls this state HELL (cf., Matt 8:12).
The Third truth related to Christ being the Light is that the follower of Christ will have the “Light of life”. The “Light of life” refers to a supernatural relationship with the Messiah. John 1:4 reads, “In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men”. John chapter 10 verse 10 reads, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly”. John 14:6 reads, “I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE......”. Now here is some wonderful news, this RELATIONSHIP that Messiah gives to His followers is not just for the here and now, BUT for all ETERNITY. John 3:16 that most familiar of verses states, “For God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes (I.e., follows) Him will NOT perish BUT have ETERNAL LIFE”. Those of us who follow Christ will have a FOREVER, supernatural RELATIONSHIP with the Messiah.
Soli Deo Gloria
1. Taken from a sermon by Brian Bill, Feb 13, 2016
