The Light of the World

Light vs Darkness

Consecration and Purification

31 days after the birth

MARY - presents herself to be symbolically purified, based on the blood she lost during childbirth

Made pure - a dove or other bird sacrificed

Made clean - a lamb to be sacrificed (the poor could use a dove, and two doves or pigeons are shown here, they are of humble means)

JESUS - Jesus had to be presented, to be “paid for”

Recognizing that the child was a gift from God, really belonged to Him, and had to be “bought back” - 5 shekels, or 60g of silver

Waiting for Messiah

Some expected a victorious king

Others awaited a just and Godly messiah

SIMEON

See his response - ho holds the Savior

This is the light that was promised

The light that pierced the darkness, to show the way

Not to just “fix” everything, but to light up the world

The way was made clear! It still is!

The Light - Through the Scriptures

ISRAEL - the light

Isaiah 42:6 NASB95

“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,

Isaiah 49:6 NASB95

He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

JESUS

John 8:12 NASB95

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.”

People still choose to walk in darkness

CHURCH

Matthew 5:14 NASB95

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

Ephesians 5:7–10 NASB95

Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Walk as children of light!

As the moon reflects the sun

ILLUST: Full moon, no headlights, there is enough light reflected to see the way

There should be enough light being reflected by the church for others to see the way - CLEARLY!

YOU/US

You’ve seen Him, you’ve held His Word

Trust, Receive, Repent, Forgive

TELL - Make Him known!

Light the Way for others - make it clear!

PROMISES

To Simeon - he’d see the messiah before his own physical death

, full of faith, people trusting what they could not prove, but knew for certain - HOPE (confidant expectation!)

To us: He will come again, to rescue those who are His, PROMISE

Is that you?

Do you trust it enough to proclaim to others “This is the SAVIOR?”

You can’t “prove” it, but you know it. Many don’t understand, but you do. Keep telling them. Keep showing them! It’s URGENT!

We’ve seen the Light. Let’s allow God to use us to impact the world!