I Am: The Light of the World
Notes
Transcript
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.”
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”
So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.
Introduction
Introduction
Like each of Jesus’ I Am statements, this one invokes a powerful metaphor that is much deeper than we initially understand
Light metaphor
Whenever we speak of light, it’s hard not to think of darkness being in the mix
In our world, every light casts a shadow, but light dispels the darkness
“Scatters cockroaches”
I am the light of the world
I am the light of the world
8:12. Jewish literature was generous with the title “light of the world,” applying it to Israel, Jerusalem, the patriarchs, the Messiah, God, famous rabbis and the law (cf. 1:4–5); but always it refers to something of ultimate significance. One of the most spectacular celebrations of the Feast of Tabernacles involved torches that lit up the city; this feast, along with Hanukkah (10:22), was thus known for splendid lighting.
Hanukkah—festival of lights—commemorates the rededication of the temple in 164 BC, but also recalls the Israelite wandering where the pillar of fire guided them by night
Jesus uses this well-known metaphor of himself. Is angers the Pharisees (v 13-20), but makes his point
Not just a light to the Jews, but to the whole world
“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.
He doesn’t merely say he has the light or is bringing the light, but that he is the light. In doing so he automatically declares those not “in him” to be in darkness
He who follows me
He who follows me
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 15.156 ἀκολουθέω
15.156 ἀκολουθέωb: to follow or accompany someone who takes the lead in determining direction and route of movement—‘to accompany as a follower, to follow, to go along with.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament A. ἀκολουθεῖν and ἕπεσθαι in Greek Usage.
Already in secular Greek the ordinary sense of “following” or “going behind” someone has given rise to that of following in an intellectual, moral or religious sense.
to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple; side with his party, [A. V. follow him]: Mt. 4:20, 22; 9:9; 19:27 sq.; Mk. 1:18; 8:34; Lk. 5:11, 27, etc.; Jn. 8:12 (where Jesus likens himself to a torch which the disciple follows);
Considering the light / pillar of fire / torch metaphor, those who walk after Jesus can see and are protected from harm
The term refers to one who closely follows another as a disciple
Follows moves well-beyond mere intellectual acceptance into the arena a behavior and lifestyle
Will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life
Will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life
What is this darkness:
sin? bondage? ignorance? spiritual blindness? all three?
In Scripture, darkness symbolizes each of these at some point
Metaphor is negative in nature; not where a person wants to be