THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

JOHN 8:12; 9:5

          Then Jesus again spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" (8:12 NASB).

          "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (9:5).

INTRODUCTION

          Charles Colson and several other Christian leaders once met with President Borja of Ecuador to discuss Prison Fellowship International's ministry in Ecuadorian penitentiaries. They had no sooner been seated in luxurious chairs than the President interrupted the conversation with the story of his own imprisonment years before being elected to the presidency.

          He had been involved in the struggle for democracy in Ecuador. The military cracked down, and he was arrested. Without trial, they threw him into a cold dungeon with no light and no window. For three days, he endured the solitary fear and darkness that can drive a person mad.

          Just when the situation seemed unbearable, the huge steel door opened, and someone crept into the darkness. Borja heard the person working on something in the opposite corner. Then the figure crept out, closed the door, and disappeared.

          Minutes later the room suddenly blazed with light. Someone, perhaps taking his life into his hands, had connected electricity to the broken light fixture. "From that moment," explained  President Borja, "My imprisonment had meaning because at least I could see."

          Even more important than the light we see with our eyes is the light that Christ brings to our hearts, giving our lives understanding and meaning only He can give.

          I would like to share with you on the subject, "The Light of the World."

          I. JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD V. 12A

          John 8:12 is the continuation of John 7:39. This text comes in the context of the Feast of Tabernacles. During this feast, all Jewish males travel from every nation to Jerusalem to participate in the festivities. Jesus and His disciples have also come to Jerusalem to celebrate this important Jewish feast. Thereby, Jesus speaks to the people in the context of the Feast of Tabernacles.

          "The person who has not seen the joy of the place of water-drawing has never in his life seen joy"; this extravagant claim stands just before the description of the lighting of four huge lamps in the temple's court of women and of the exuberant celebration that took place under their light (Mishnah Sukkah 5:1-4). "Men of piety and good works" danced through the night, holding burning torches in their hands and singing songs and praises. The Levitical orchestras cut loose, and some sources attest that this went on every night of the Feast of Tabernacles, with the light from temple area shedding its glow all over Jerusalem (D. A, Carson, The Gospel According to John, 337).

          In this context, Jesus declares to the people, "I am the light of the world." Throughout history, nobody has made such bold, unapologetic, and emphatic statement besides Jesus. Herod the Great could not make such a statement; Caesar Augustus could not make such a proposition. Julius Caesar could not make such affirmation. Napoleon Bonaparte could not make such an assertion. Moses did not make such proclamation. Buddha could not make such a declaration. Krishna could not make such an announcement. Mohammed could not make such an utterance. The reason is obvious. These were great men and leaders in their own right, but all of them were mortals and finite. Death would not allow them to utter such a declaration. This is a statement of Deity; it is a declaration of Divinity and Immortality.

          This is the second of the "I am" statements that are followed by a predicate. Of the incarnate Word, we have already learned that the life "was the light of men" (John 1:4). The light metaphor is steeped in Old Testament allusions. The glory of the very presence of God in the cloud that led the children of Israel to the Promised Land (Exodus 13:21-22) and protected them from those who would destroy them (Exodus 14:19-25). The Israelites were trained to sing, "The LORD is my light and my salvation" (Psalm 27:1). The word of God, the law of God is a light to guide the path of those who cherish instruction (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23); God's light is shed in revelation (Ezekiel 1:4, 13, 26-28) and salvation (Habakkuk 3:3-4). Light is Yahweh in action (Psalm 44:3).

          When Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world," the people who heard Him understood the implications of His statement. They were not under any illusion that He meant something else. People who argue that Jesus did not say He was God have not read the "I am" statements of Jesus.

          Let us set the record straight. All the Jewish feasts that were instituted in the Old Testament and carried through the New Testament were not ends in themselves. They were symbolic rituals pointing to future fulfillment. Now the brilliant candelabra were lit only at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles. So in effect Jesus is saying, "I am the Light of the world" of which the Feast of Tabernacles is a shadow or only symbolic. The reaction of the Pharisees in verse 13 shows that they understand the implications or ramifications of Jesus' bold declaration.

          II. THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS. V. 12B

          Not only is Jesus the Light of the world but also anyone who follows Him does not walk in darkness. When Jesus says "anyone who follows Me," He is not talking about those who follow Him out of curiosity. He is not talking about those who follow Him out of convenience. He is not talking about those who follow Him from a distance. He is not talking about those who follow Him with hidden agenda and ulterior motives. Jesus is talking about those who follow Him with total commitment. He is referring to genuine disciples who are loyal and dedicated to Him. Jesus says, such people "will not walk in the darkness." On the contrary, they "will have the Light of life."

          A father took his son into an art shop to buy a picture of Christ for him. The boy was shown different pictures of Christ but he did not like any of them. "No, Daddy, these are not what I want." The father thinking that his son didn't want a picture of Jesus after all, asked, "What kind of Christ do you want?" Promptly, the boy replied, "I want a Christ who shines in the darkness." The boy had seen a luminous picture of Christ, which shone in the darkness.

          The boy had a good understanding of what Jesus is saying about Himself. The opposite of light is darkness. Light serves many significant purposes. Light enables us to see clearly even during the night. Light dispels the darkness even during the night. Light provides revelation, illumination, and clarity. Light is also a symbol of truth. Therefore, when a disciple walks in the Light, he does not become a victim of falsehood. Many people are peddling false teachings as truth today. We need the Light of Christ to discern the truth from error. The Apostle Paul states that sometimes the devil masquerades himself as an angel of light. It takes the spirit of discernment to detect his true identity.

          Darkness also connotes ignorance, evil, sin, and all forms of wickedness. We greatly need Christ to shine in the night of sorrow, suffering, testing, and temptation. Only Christ can illumine life's dark pathway. As we follow Him, our way grows increasingly bright. "But the path of the just is as the shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18).

          The question that you need to answer honestly is this. Have you embraced "Jesus the Light of the world" in your life? Moreover, if you have embraced Him, are you following Him closely today?

          In the physical realm when light appears darkness vanishes. When you walk in the light, you do not stumble or fall because you can see clearly. Nothing is so pure as light. Light is also as bright as it is pure. As the Light, Jesus came as "the brightness of the Father's glory," and His mission is to dispense brightness wherever sin's darkness prevails. Jesus is the true Light, ready to lighten every person that comes into the world. Darkness obscures, but Light reveals. Many thieves and evil people operate at the cover of darkness because it will not expose them.

          As "the Living Water" is for all who are thirsty, so the "the Light" is for those who are willing to walk in it, and if we walk in the light as He is in the light and He is the Light then, we walk no longer in the darkness of sin, but become reflectors of the Light.

          Not only are the disciples or followers of Christ not going to walk in darkness but also they will have the light of life. There are two primary words for life in Koine Greek language. One form is (Bios); it is from this that the English term "biology" derives. This deals with physical life. The second form of life is (Zoe or Zoes), which refers to eternal life or life eternal. Jesus uses the second form of life (Zoe) in this text. Therefore, in essence Jesus is saying that only those who follow Him with undivided attention and complete commitment "will have the light of life." However, those who rebel against Him, those who reject Him, those who follow someone else do not have the light of life. In other words, eternal life, abundant life, real life belongs to those who are genuine disciples of Christ, not casual observers.

          John 9:5 comes at the heels of the disciples' theological question that concerns the man who was born blind (congenital blindness). In spite of the religious leaders' hypocrisy and opposition, Jesus healed the man of his blindness. The Light of the world gave sight to a man who had not seen light since his birth. I cannot imagine the jubilation of this man when he saw Jesus' face for the first time. He had heard of Jesus but he had not seen Him before. In my sanctified imagination, I could see the joy of this man when he saw the face of his parents for the first time. The question you need to ponder is whether you have come to Jesus the Light of the world. Do you prefer darkness of sin to the Light of salvation and eternal life that Jesus alone can give you?

          Jesus is the Light of God that has penetrated this world of darkness. When Jesus declares, "I am the Light of the world;" He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2, which states, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them."

          The good news is that the light Jesus provides is not ethnocentric or culturally conditioned or with geographic limitations. Jesus the Light of the world transcends cultural limitations. His light has universal and global appeal and attraction. Therefore, no matter who you are, and where you are in the world, you can experience Jesus the Light of the world when you open your heart to Him.

          The feeding of the five thousand people (John 6) demonstrates that Jesus is "the Bread of Life." The healing of the man born blind (John 9), shows that Jesus is "the Light of the world". He is one who gives sight to the blind both physically and spiritually.

          Finally, when Christians live lives of integrity and authenticity and witness with our lives and lips, we also become the light of the world that exudes the fragrance of Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world.

         

         

"SUPPORT A LEADER AND SAVE THE COMMUNITY"

I SAMUEL 18:1-6; 19:1-7; 20:1-17

INTRODUCTION

          A sign read, “There is no limit to the good that a man can do, if he does not care who gets the credit.”

            If you really do not care who gets the credit, then you can just enjoy yourself and do all kinds of good deeds for others. Just be glad that it is done, and do not worry about who gets the credit on earth, because your heavenly Father knows.

I.                  FRIENDSHIP FOR LIFE

          If you do not care who wears the crown or gets the credit in the Christian life, God will take you to heights you have never dreamed. The biblical character in the Old Testament, who played a positive supportive role in the life of a leader, was Jonathan. I have not heard many messages on Jonathan. I have heard several messages on both King Saul and David, but none on Jonathan. If Jonathan were with us today, he would say to us, “you live in an age when winning at all costs and looking out for number one are exalted virtues.” The words of Proverbs 20:6 could have been written today: “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?” We have forgotten what it means to serve others or exhibit true loyalty. In such a time as this, what Jonathan would tell us becomes doubly important: Support a Leader and Save a Nation or Community, whichever applies to your situation.

          Jonathan has credibility like no one else in the Bible to deliver such a message to us today. While other people in David’s life were trying to keep him down by putting limitations on him, Jonathan did the opposite. He lifted David up and strengthened him so that he could meet his trials and defeat his oppressors.

          Jonathan and David became good friends soon after David killed Goliath. The Scripture says, and I read from 1 Samuel 18:1-5. From that time on, Jonathan was willing to do anything to help David, and that was good because David would need a lot of help. Every potential leader or leader needs a lot of help from those who do not care about who gets the credit. Such persons are rare to find in our competitive society.

          If you read the text carefully, you would find out that Jonathan became one in spirit with David (18:1). This was understandable because David and Jonathan had much in common. They were both courageous and capable young warriors who possessed profound faith in the Lord. Both had initiated faith-motivated attacks against militarily superior Philistines that had resulted in great victories for Israel. Jonathan loved David (v. 3). That love inspired him to make a covenant with David, one that was expressed with extravagant gifts to the new celebrity. The fact that Jonathan gave David the garb and armaments originally reserved for the heir to Saul’s throne clearly possesses symbolic and thematic significance. In an apologetic vein, it also provides an explanation of how David came to possess these coveted tokens of power.

          David was taken out of his comfort zone. The day David killed Goliath everything changed in his life. He went from unknown boy to hero and from shepherd to leader. David, a shepherd boy and a nobody, became a member of the royal household and as such did not prove disappointing. Nevertheless, the affection and the favor that David found in the sight of King Saul became short-lived. The song of celebration and victory the women of Israel sang for David put him on the wrong side of the king: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” King Saul became jealous of David and constantly tried to destroy him.

          From this time forward, David’s life was a roller coaster. One moment David was leading the army of Israel and the next moment he was hiding from the same army because Saul was deploying it to try to kill him.

          David faced many severe challenges. His assignments from the king were difficult and the expectations of the people were high. Without help, he would not survive. Furthermore, after witnessing four attempts on his life in one day, David certainly had no reason to doubt Saul’s determination to kill him. Yet, to escape the king’s attacks, David would have to abandon the two most significant people in his life, his best friend Jonathan and the wife of his youth, Michal. Even if he were to escape and live, would life be worth living under those circumstances?

          Hoping he was wrong, but fearing he was right, David “fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan (20:1) to discuss the matter further. Perhaps the fault was David’s; perhaps he had committed some “transgressions” or “sin” against King Saul. If so, then, he could repent, make reparations, and end the relentless attacks; his life of love and friendship could return to him once more.

          David’s melancholic musings seemed nonsense to Jonathan, and he rejected the conclusions. If anyone should know Saul’s thought processes, it was Jonathan, for Saul did not “do anything, great or small, without confiding in Jonathan (20:2).

          However, David who had “wisdom like that of an angel of God” to “discern good and evil” (2 Sam. 14:17, 20), saw what Jonathan could not. The cold facts of the situation pointed to only one conclusion: Saul was passionately determined to kill David. In fact, at that moment David was “only a step” ahead of “death.” Yet, Saul had kept the evil scheme a secret from Jonathan so that his son would not “be grieved” (20:3, 34).

          Jonathan, like David, had much to lose if the accusations against Saul proved true; he would forgo the companionship of his best friend and experience alienation from his father. In an effort to put the matter to rest, he agreed to cooperate with David in the investigation. Whatever plan David might put forth Jonathan would follow it. Therefore, at every turn, Jonathan helped David. This made all the difference for David, the nation, and the people.

          David, the man who the Old Testament describes frequently as possessing success-induced wisdom, had an ingenious ploy to force King Saul to reveal his real intentions toward David. The plan that David put forth was simple, yet effective. If proactively, safeguarded David by sequestering him, and it avoided any use of force. Granted, Jonathan had to lie to his father about why David would not show up at the royal court and supper for two days. Realize that Jonathan was doing this to save and preserve innocent life.

          Jonathan’s role would be very complicated. Most of the time during the next two days, he was to be merely a passive observer of his father. However, when his father commented on David’s absence, Jonathan was to come out with a persuasive, though false, excuse to account for David’s empty chair at the meals. After that he was to note his father’s reaction: a positive response to Jonathan’s words would mean that David “is safe” (20:7); a hostile response would mean that Saul was “determined to harm” David.

II.   SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

          The question you need to ask is this: “What empowered Jonathan to put David ahead of himself and serve him? After all, Jonathan was the prince of Israel and the rightful heir to the throne. Nevertheless, the first time he met David; Jonathan understood David’s potential (unlike King Saul, David’s brothers, or even David’s father). Jonathan saw the big picture. If you see the big picture, you stop being in competition with God ordained leader and become a supporter and a team player to save the community where God has placed you.

          Jonathan’s big picture thinking allowed him to see himself from the right perspective. The first great advantage of seeing the big picture is being able to judge yourself realistically. If you overestimate your value, you may do things just to feed your ego. That was King Saul’s problem.  If you underestimate your value, you may become discouraged and neglect doing the things you can do. That is why many Christians are sitting on the sidelines, while a few are doing the work of the Lord. However, the big picture gives you an accurate picture of yourself. When Jonathan saw David after he killed Goliath, the prince realized that David had the potential to be a better leader than his father or himself. Therefore, Jonathan realized that he was not the best person to ascend to the throne. Jonathan had the realistic evaluation of his gifts and potential as a leader. He was content to play a supportive role to a highly gifted leader to save his nation. Such a conclusion comes with discernment, prayer, and contentment of life. Jonathan reminds me of Andrew, who was a brother of Peter and one who brought Peter to Jesus. Andrew was content to be a team player and supporter, while Peter rose to leadership.

          Jonathan’s big picture thinking allowed him to see others from the right perspective. When Jonathan saw himself realistically, he was free to treat others as they deserved. That meant preserving David’s life and serving him. Jonathan knew that helping David would benefit the kingdom more than promoting himself as Israel’s future ruler. And while King Saul, his father, continually tried to manipulate situations to eliminate David as a threat to him, Jonathan worked hard to help his friend. He strategically invested his time and energy for David’s success. Jonathan saw himself as a kingmaker and he worked hard at it. The problem with our world is that everybody wants to be a king, but nobody wants to be a kingmaker, or a subject of a king. The problem with the church and contemporary Christianity is that there are more who want to undermine spiritual leaders than to help the work of the Lord to succeed.

          Jonathan’s big picture thinking allowed him to do what is right from God’s perspective. Often our personal ambition clouds God’s direction for our lives. Nonetheless, Jonathan’s grasp of the big picture helped him to understand what God desired. Even though it did not benefit him personally, Jonathan obeyed God and did not whine about his rights. The problem with today’s Christians is the attitude that says, “What is in it for me?” Many people have become Christians with a consumer mentality. Their main goal is, “what can the Lord do for me; what can the pastor do for me; what can the church do for me?” There should be a change of focus and attitude. The objective of every believer should be, “What can I do for the Lord; what can I do to help the pastor; what can I do to help the church realize her vision and mission.” Your purpose in the Christian life should not be what I could get but what can I give; what can I contribute to the success of the Lord’s work. We need more Jonathans today in the Lord’s work. Moses had his Joshua and Caleb; Elijah had his Elisha; Daniel had Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego; Peter had Andrew; Paul had Barnabas; Billy Graham has Cliff Barrows and Bev. Shea. The greatest need in a leader’s life is to have a Jonathan beside him/her.

          Jonathan gave up his own future on the throne to serve the rightful person who would take it. The result? The reign of David was the greatest in Israel’s history. Due to his loyalty and deep commitment to David’s future, Jonathan ended up saving the entire nation of Israel from destruction.

III.           WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

          This is what Jonathan is saying to you: “Only when you see what is important will you be willing to do the seemingly unimportant. I did not serve David because I lacked potential. I look back on my life; my greatest joy was helping David succeed to the throne. Remember, it takes many kingmakers to make a king!”

          Every time you encounter people with potential, you must make a choice. You can either hurt them or help them. Many Christians today choose to hurt leaders rather than to help them succeed. Jonathan’s father, King Saul chose to hurt David. What would have happened if Jonathan’s father had helped David? King Saul could have spent his time on productive instead of destructive things. The kingdom would have united instead of divided. Jonathan’s relationship with his father would have improved greatly. In addition, God’s blessings would have continued on his father’s leadership. A legacy of leadership would have been passed down to David. Jonathan goes on to say to you: “Sadly, in the end, my father did not hurt David; he hurt himself.”

          Here is the good news: “As a supporter you share in your leader’s success.” When you help a leader, you share in whatever he/she achieves. As I helped my friend David, I knew that I was serving God and whatever benefits the nation of Israel received came about in part through my efforts. The same is true for you. You do not have to be on the front lines or the lime light, to share in the rewards or to make a great impact. Support your leader and you can help save your community and nation.

Prayer

          Sovereign Lord and King please empower our church family to see the big picture so we may know our individual place and are glad to be a part of something great. Help us to cultivate the right attitude toward the potential and success of others, and possess a servant’s heart that receives great joy in adding value to leaders. Amen.

                                                 Happy New Year.