"I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"

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When Pierre-Paul Thomas was growing up in Montreal, Canada in the 1940s he couldn't play hockey with his brothers, and it broke his heart. Thomas was born blind—long before a cure was available. So, for most of his life he could only imagine the world that people often described to him. For years he walked with a white cane to avoid obstacles in front of him. But at the age of sixty-six, Thomas fell down the stairs in an apartment building and fractured the bones of his face. He was rushed to the hospital with severe swelling around his eyes. A team of doctors went to work to repair the bones. Months later he went to be examined by a plastic surgeon for a consultation about repairing his scalp.

The surgeon casually asked Thomas, "Oh, while we're at it, do you want us to fix your eyes too?" Thomas did not understand. Nor did he know how to respond. Not long after that, Thomas had surgery and could truly see for the first time.

Suddenly his world consisted of bright colors he had never fathomed before. He spoke of being awestruck by flowers blossoming and trees blooming. As beautiful as this story of a sixty-year-old man who was able to see for the first time is, there is a sad reality. He could have had the same surgery at a younger age and been able to see much earlier. Thomas had assumed such a possibility was impossible and had resigned himself to a life of blindness when, in reality, he could have experienced the gift of sight decades earlier.

You see, This morning, we read this story this morning and although it’s touching, our hearts go out for this man because he had the opportunity to see years earlier in his life. And yet, he had made up his mind that there was no way that he could possibly see.

For anyone that knows someone who’s blind, you know all too well that there are certain elements of life that in some ways, they miss out on. In fact, my grandparents ray and Lois Howard of Cambridge Ohio were both legally blind. My papaw, as I called him, Ray Howard, was poked in the eye at a young age, and soon his other eye went blind as well. And my grandmother Lois Howard, was blind from birth.

In speaking to my mom earlier this week, I asked her if there were ever any moments that my grandmother felt like she missed out on in life. She went on to explain how my mammaw could barely make out a shadow of her brother’s graduation picture, but when it came time for my mom to graduate, she couldn’t make out her picture at all. My mammaw and papaw needed someone to drive them, they relied on someone else at the grocery stores, and they never saw their grandchildren in person. In fact, I remember from a young age, that my mammaw would put her hands on my face, and on the top of my head to see, or imagine what I looked like. (for her sake, I’m glad she didn’t see what I looked like, cause man it would’ve been a scary sight.)

But really, my mammaw and pappaw lived a wonderful life, they loved the lord, they went to church, they even had a Christian band that my papaw played banjo and guitar in, and they would both sing… and yet, they missed many things in life.

For some this morning, they’ve never seen the light. Many have their eyes shut to the fullest of life, to the true meaning of life, and so they go through life missing the point. Many walk in darkness, and stumbling through life, never really going anywhere, instead, spiritually speaking, just kind of walking aimlessly through life.

This morning, we can choose on a daily baisis to walk in the light. And if we do so, it will radically change where we go. If you have your bibles, turn with me to John 9, and as your turn their, we’re going to be continuing in the I Am series this morning. to as we see that Jesus is the light of the world. And that as we Walking in the light, that this leads to 1. Leads to sanctification. 2. Fellowship and 3. Leads to witnessing

1. Walking in the light leads to Sanctification.

You know, throughout the gospel of John, no different than today’s society. There was debate about who Jesus was. When we look at the Pharisees this morning, as we’ll see, they saw the works of the Messiah, but they refused to accept Him as the Messiah. And yet, miracle by miracle, Jesus would perform wondrous signs and go on to explain that he was the Messiah, the savior of the world. (Nothing Good from Nazareth)

In John 8, we observe the Pharisees questioning who Jesus was, and here for the first time, in verse 8 it says: “12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So, the first introduction of this statement takes place in John 8, but this morning, we’re going to look at John 9:5 Where Jesus would say again, I am the light of the world.

9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So, the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So, I went and washed, and then I could see.” 12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.

I Want to take a few minutes and just unpack the scripture we read. There are several things that stand out, first, we notice that there is a man who was born blind. Who is also a beggar. and upon finding this man, the disciples ask who sinned? The man or his parents? Which for the Jewish culture of the time, it was accepted thinking that a child could even sin while in the womb or that a disease was the result of parent.

But Jesus would go on to clearly state, this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

We also see that this miracle must have taken place in Jerusalem as Jesus sent the man to the pool of Siloam. And I found in my studies, that at the time that temple was a prime location for beggars, since people coming there to worship would be more likely to give them alms. The temple was also the place where large crowds would gather. So, it doesn’t specifically say, but it’s quite likely that Jesus would have found this man at the temple grounds and there begin this dialogue. Jesus would go on to say:

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Now what’s interesting is that this event took place a few months before the crucifixion of Jesus. And so, Jesus uses this occasion to point out that “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”And he would go on to explain, night is coming when no one can work. This period would refer to the 50 days in between the crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection, for at that time, the Holy Spirit had not yet come… but he simply states that as long as it is day, that we must do the works of him who sent me.

He then goes on to spit on the ground, and then using this mud he places it on the man’s eyes.

By the way, from a logical standpoint, putting dirt and spit, or this mud, in someone’s eyes would be the last thing that you think would help someone to see… right? In a day of eye drops, and eye washing stationsthat are intended to keep our eyes clear from such things, this would be the last thing that you would expect Jesus to do… and yet, that’s exactly what Jesus does.

But here’s the key… the light of the world, that is Jesus, was giving him the opportunity for a new life in this moment… Jesus was here to save him… but it wasn’t just his eyes that Jesus was interested in seeing washed. More than his eyes, Jesus was primarily concerned with his heart.

You see, when we talk about this idea of sanctification this morning. The definition according to the dictionary is to.

1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.

2. to purify or free from sin:Sanctify your hearts.

3. But it’s also to make productive or conducive to spiritual blessing.

You see, yes, this man had a change that took place physically within him, but the main change was what happened inside of him.

The bible tells us: vs.3 “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

This morning, God is concerned with us physically. But more than anything he’s interested in washing us clean from our sins. And not just at the point of salvation, no, God wants us to come to him Each day. With our hurts, our sorrows, our struggles, our regrets… God wants to meet with you where you’re at this morning… And if you’ll allow him the time throughout your day, throughout your week… it will fundamentally change your life.

You know it reminds me of jumping into the river as a teenager. You see, my friends and I would often drive our vehicles out to the nearby train track bridges, and carefully walk along the boards (so as not to fall in between them) and of course this was illegal, so we had to make sure the police weren’t nearby. But we would walk out to the middle of the bridge and one by one, jump in the water. Now being New Hampshire, the snow covered mountains were sure to make the river nice and cool… but we would jump in nonetheless. But the real excitement didn’t come from washing off, , but really it was the rush of jumping In the water, it was the thrill of the cold temperatures . It was the thrill of stepping off the bridge and being refreshed.

For us this morning, we too need that refreshment in our walk each day. You see, James 4:8-10 tells us

8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Friends, Would we have the same willing submission, that each day, we would meet the father by the pool, to jump in the river, and as we draw close to him, he would meet us.

2. Walking in the light Leads to fellowship

As the story continues this morning, we see that the pharisees present have a hard time accepting that Jesus was the one who healed this man. We’re told in verse 13:

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So, they were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

I realize we just read a lot of scripture. But what I want us to notice a few things. First, as mentioned earlier the Jesus was the Messiah. Verse 16 many some of the pharisees would go on to say: “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” So, by Jesus’ healing on the sabbath, this would have been in violation of the Torah. But the main thing I want you to see is verse 20, for the pharisees question this man’s parents, it says:

You see not only is this blind man challenged by his neighbors, or by the cruel pharisees, but here, his parents leave him to defend for himself. You see for them to admit that Jesus was the source of the healing would have meant that they would’ve been kicked out of the temple, and so, in a moment of fear, they left their son to fend for himself. And so, rejected by society, insulted by the pharisees, and left to defend by himself, this man, then kicked out of the temple, by all outward accounts had little hope. And yet, he had everything because of Jesus.

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

You see, in this moment. When so many had turned their back on this man… he may not have had fellowship with the world, but he had everything he needed in Jesus.

I wonder about us this morning, would we trade everything we have, all of our relationships, all our possessions, everything we’ve known in life in exchange for Jesus?

You see, the famous preacher Charles Spurgeon would write about the blind man that day, and the encounter with Jesus, for he would state: Then, further, he acted as a believer: for “he worshipped him.” This proved how his faith had grown. I should like to ask you who are the people of God when you are happiest…. My happiest moments are when I am worshipping God, really adoring the Lord Jesus Christ… It is the nearest approach to what it will be in heaven, where, day without night, they offer perpetual adoration unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Hence, what a memorable moment it was for this man when he worshipped Christ!

I wonder for us, this morning. Do we get as excited as worshipping Jesus as this man? You see, for Although he lost so much, he had gained everything.

For us this morning I’m reminded Songs. By Mark Bishop. Take Me Back To That Place - Life was so simple then…I can remember when I discovered a brand new friend…someone to love even me When I fell down to pray…the greatest of all my days How did I drift away? But you never changed Lord You were always the same Lord Lord take me back…to the place…where I first beheld your face Where I first…discovered you…where forgiveness was brand new Lord take me back…to the day…all my sins were washed away Remind me Lord of where I was…before your mercy and your love, Before your grace…take me back, take me back to that place

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

3. Walking in the light Leads to witnessing

You see ultimately, Christ wants to not only have a relationship with you but also wants to include you in witnessing to others.

For in Matthew 5:15-16 Jesus would take this idea of light, and now, he changes it from saying that he is the light of the world, to what we read in Matthew 5. As we’re told now:

Matthew 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Mirror pointing at the son this morning – True power is not in the mirror, the true power is in the son.

You see ultimately, God extends this opportunity for us this morning. He extends the invitation for us to allow our light to shine before other.

You know, going back to my grandparents for a brief moment, I learned from a young age the song this little light of mine. Most of you know that this morning… but in the lyrics, we sing this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

Friends this morning, we have the opportunity to shine that light for Jesus. We have the opportunity to allow the light of Christ to radiate brightly within us, that others may see our good deeds and give glory to God.

Jesus made it clear, he said: 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Friends, this morning, we are that light.

I’m going to call Lisa forward at this time

And as she comes up, I just want to speak to a few groups this morning.

1. Those who might say, that figuratively speaking… you feel dirty this morning. You haven’t been down by the pool, or down to the well and this morning, you need to be refreshed.

2. Maybe you feel like you’ve been living in darkness for a little while. Unconfessed sin, struggle.