I AM Bible Study Part 2
Notes
Transcript
The Light of the World
The Light of the World
Read Gen 1:1-4
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.
Discussion:
What does the opening of the Bible tell us about Light and Darkness?
Read Exo 13:21-22
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
Discussion:
What role did light play in the Exodus story? How did God manifest himself in this passage?
Listen to how the prophet Isaiah described the coming Messiah:
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.
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Now listen to John’s opening of his gospel:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John intentionally tied the arrival of Jesus to the opening of Genesis and, by using the term “the light of man” - identifying Jesus as the anticipated Messiah.
Now let’s look at the context of today’s I AM statement - that Jesus is the Light of the World.
Read John 7:1-18, here we find that the timing is around the Feast of the Tabernacles (of Festival of Booths) and Jesus is at the Temple in Jerusalem. The environment around Jesus’ ministry is increasingly becoming hostile. People are picking sides - even his brothers mock him. Those who tended to believe in him kept quiet out of fear of repercussion from the religious leaders - because those leaders were conspiring to get rid of him.
Let’s add some more historical knowledge to the context of this statement.
From Jewishroots.net
During the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) there was a great ceremony called the "Illumination of the Temple," which involved the ritual lighting of four golden oil-fed lamps in the Court of Women. These lamps were huge menorahs/candelabras (seventy-five feet high) lighted in the Temple at night to remind the people of the pillar of fire that had guided Israel in their wilderness journey. All night long the light shone their brilliance, it is said, illuminating the entire city.
In celebration and anticipation, the holiest of Israel's men danced and sang psalms of joy and praise, before the Lord. This festival was a reminder that God had promised to send a light, the Light, to a sin-darkened world. God promised to send the Messiah to renew Israel's glory, release them from bondage, and restore their joy. Imagine that you are in ancient Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. Visualize seeing these massive menorahs giving a tremendous amount of light. Now imagine the impact of the words said by Jesus in the Temple courtyard when he announced, "I am the Light of the world."
Jesus is the Light, the source of illumination to bring the lost out of darkness. Jesus declared himself to be the Light of the world. It is not clear from the text when this incident happened, but it was some time between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast Of Dedication (Hanukkah); both of these celebrations focused on light.
Read John 7:25-36
Discussion:
Imagine you are a live news reporter on scene and you are describing to your television audience the situation on the ground - what would you say?
Division and confusion continues throughout the festival - Jesus teaching, Pharisees mad, people picking sides. Sounds like election season. John seems to be describing a separation occurring - people are either gravitating to Jesus or away from him. They are either moving into the light are retreating into darkness.
Read John 7:37-52.
Chapter 7 really paints the picture of how divided the people were over Jesus. This is the context that will soon lead to Jesus’ statement.
Discussion:
Since Jesus is the light of the world - what is His light exposing in these scenes?
Chapter 8 begins with the story of the woman caught in adultery - it is presented as a test, the Pharisee want to see how Jesus deals with the situation, see if he goes against the law and thereby, giving them reason to arrest him. The problem with this passage is that it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. It doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, or that it doesn’t belong where it is located, but it was included later and seems to disrupt the flow of the setting.
Read John 8:1-11.
Discussion:
Where do we see the theme of light and darkness in this passage?
Now we arrive at John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Discussion:
Given the Old Testament biblical passages we heard, and the context of the festival and the environment in which Jesus is teaching - How do you understand Jesus’ statement: “I am the light of the world?”
In Chapter 9, Jesus performs a miracle that will serve as a contrast between those who walk in the light and those who remain in the dark.
Read John 9:1-41 and as we do so, observe the use of various forms of the phrase “opened my eyes.” This phrase could be interpreted both literally (physical blindness) and figuratively (spiritual blindness).
Discussion:
In what way is the formerly blind man now seeing clearly? In what ways are the Pharisees blind?
Read Proverbs 4:18-19
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
Discussion:
How does this passage illustrate the mindset of the Pharisees? Have you experienced this kind of darkness in your own life?
Read Ephesians 5:8-13
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
Discussion:
What does Paul say is the fruit of light?
How does he describe the works of darkness? How are they exposed?
Read 1 John 1:5-10
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Discussion:
Describe the relationship between sin and darkness and between confession, truth and light. How have you seen this principle at work in your own life?
Read Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Discussion:
How does Jesus describe His followers? Based on what we have discussed, how is this significant?
What are you doing to let you light shine?
Closing Prayer
Next Week: I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
