I AM: The Light of the World

ME:

There was this time when I was younger that we had this massive thunder storm. The wind was blowing strong as it was moving leaves across our lawn and even blew our garbage can into the street. You could hear the crackling of branches and see the rain beating on the windows. My parents were quick to get us away from the windows. Suddenly we had all the lights go out and it was pitch black and I couldn’t see anything. At that time I felt afraid, alone, and helpless. Eventually my parents we’re able fumble their way to find a flashlight so we could see again!

There was this time when I was younger that we had this massive thunder storm. The wind was blowing strong. We and you could hear the rain beating on the windows

WE:

Now you probably have experienced something like that too. Where you have been in total darkness and unable to see where you were going. Maybe you experienced a black-out like me where all the lights went out during a storm. I am sure many of you experienced the tornado of 1985 in Newton Falls. As it ran rampet and caused destruction of everything that crossed it’s path. It created terror and fear as people scurried into their basements or any other place of safety they could find.

Now I am going to show a short video of the tornado. It is a little graphic so if you have a child with you then you might want to cover their ears and eyes.

(Show Youtube Clip of Newton Falls tornado)

GOD:

(NKJV)

12 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.” 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” 20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

We see the setting for this exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees mentioned in v.20 as the treasury. This is where the court of woman is located in the temple. But it’s not called the court of woman because its exclusive to just woman but, because this is as far as woman were allowed in the temple. It was here where 13 collection boxes were set up to recieve money. Seven boxes were for temple taxes and 6 were for free will offerings.

This is Where we see Jesus addressing the crowd of religious leaders and Pharisees by saying “I AM the light of the World”. We see earlier in the 8th chapter of John why Jesus is saying this to them. This I AM statement of Jesus comes right after the Pharisees bring to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees in an attempt to trapt Jesus tell him that according to the law of Moses we should stone her but, what do you say Jesus? We know how the story goes, Jesus then stoops down and writes in the sand and then stands up and says to the Pharisees…

“He who is without sin, cast the first stone! What happens next? One by one, beginning with the oldest, they went away and it was just the woman and Jesus. This is when Jesus says neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more!

This is when he addresses the Pharisees and says “I AM the Light of the World”!

If we think of a sonset that we have seen. We remember it’s spendor, wonder and beauty of it as we are in awe of it’s glory. We know that God is not the sun but, the creator of it. But as our Jewish ancestors have done, we commonly associate light with God. Such as they did with the burning bush, Pillar of fire, and bright clouds!

The psalmist spoke of God as light: “The LORD is my light and my salvation” (); and the prophet promised, “The LORD shall be your light forever” (). Light stood for the glory of God. Prophecies also spoke of the Messiah as light: “Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you” (). And the prophet Simeon hailed the child Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/jesus-and-the-new-testament/who-do-you-say-that-i-am-names-for-jesus/jesus-the-light-of-the-world

Court of Woman/Treasury Adulterous woman

YOU:

As we walk in this world we will experience dark days. Even, dark seasons but, know this, that as long as we continue to walk with the Lord we will shine his light in the darkness so we never have to be afraid or feel alone because He will be our light that leads to life. He gives you a choice though. He won’t force you to follow Him. You can either choose to stay in darkness and wallow the situations and circumstances you are facing or you choose to follow Jesus who is the light of life. Who will give you peace, joy, and life no matter what darkness you encounter

WE:

Now we are all called to be light bearers of God. To shine His light in dark places. How is God speaking to you today to do that?

God wants you to be His light to the darkness in your family.

God wants you to be His light to the darkness of homelessness.

God wants you to be his light to those in the darkness of sickness.

God wants you to be His light by being a friend to someone who is struggling with loneliness.

God has already placed people in your path today. Sometimes to share the light we have to recognize where the darkness is.

Sticky Statement: Being the light of God isn’t something we do, it’s something we are