The Light of The World

John 1:1–14 (LEB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This one was in the beginning with God.

All things came into being through him, and apart from him not one thing came into being that has come into being.

In him was life, and the life was the light of humanity. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

...The true light, who gives light to every person, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, and the world did not recognize him.

He came to his own things, and his own people did not receive him.

But as many as received him—to those who believe in his name—he gave to them authority to become children of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a husband, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and took up residence among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Is it good news to you?

Isaiah 9:2 LEB

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; light has shined on those who lived in a land of darkness.

John 9:38–41 (LEB)

And he said, “I believe, Lord!” and he worshiped him. And Jesus said,⟧ “For judgment I have come into this world,

so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind!”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and said to him, “We are not also blind, are we?”

Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

Types of Darkness

Spiritual Darkness

2 Corinthians 4:4 (LEB)

among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Darknes as a metaphor for death: In the Old Testament, darkness is often used as a metaphor for death, such as in Job 17:13

Job 17:13 (LEB)

If I hope for Sheol as my house, if I spread my couch in the darkness,

Darkness as a metaphor for judgment: In the Bible, darkness is often used to represent judgment, such as in Exodus 10:21

Exodus 10:21 (LEB)

And Yahweh said to Moses,

“Stretch out your hand toward the heavens so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt and so that a person can feel darkness.”

Darkness as a metaphor for the place of the unsaved: In the Bible, darkness is often used to represent the place of the unsaved, such as in Matthew 8:12 and Ephesians 5:8

Matthew 8:12 LEB

But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!”

Ephesians 5:8 LEB

for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light

Darkness as a metaphor for evil works: In the Bible, darkness is often used to represent evil works, such as in Romans 13:12-14

Romans 13:12–14 (LEB)

The night is far gone, and the day has drawn near. Therefore let us throw off the deeds of darkness and put on the weapons of light.

Let us live decently, as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh.

Intellectual darkness: In the Bible, darkness is used to represent intellectual darkness, such as in Romans 2:17-20

Romans 2:17–20 (LEB)

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve the things that are superior,

because you are instructed by the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness,

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

Jesus as light is good news!

John 8:12 LEB

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world! The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus defeated every type of darkness, so that we can put Him on, follow Him and therefore walk in the light.

Now YOU are the light of the world

Ephesians 5:8 LEB

for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light

John 20:21 LEB

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

How to be the light of the world

John 3:16 LEB

For in this way God loved the world, so that he gave his one and only Son, in order that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life.

Love

give

dwell

die (be willing to)

Love

1 John 4:11 LEB

Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 2:9–10 (LEB)

The one who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness until now.

The one who loves his brother resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

Give

Matthew 10:8 LEB

Heal those who are sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, expel demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Dwell

1 John 1:7 LEB

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.

Job 16:1–5 (LEB)

Then Job answered and said,

“I have heard many things like these; all of you are miserable comforters.

...I myself also could talk as you, if you were in my place;

I could join against you with words, and I could shake at you with my head.

I could encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would ease the pain.

to dwell with people, like Christ you will need to forgive them

Colossians 3:13 LEB

putting up with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone should have a complaint against anyone, just as also the Lord forgave you, thus also you do the same.

Die

Philippians 2:5 LEB

Think this in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Philippians 2:8 (LEB)

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross.

Revelation 12:11 (LEB)

And they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,

and they did not love their lives until death.

Make sure you have light in you by choosing your focus

Matthew 6:22–23 (LEB)

“The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore if your eye is sincere, your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark. Therefore if the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Now go and be the light

Matthew 5:14–16 (LEB)

You are the light of the world.

A city located on top of a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a lamp and place it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house.

In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.