Sermon Title: I AM the Light of the World
Scripture: John 8:12-20 (NIV)
Contributed by Nancy Buschart
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” —John 8:12
The incarnation changed everything—instead of God “out there,” God himself came near. God the Son became one of us. He was called Immanuel—God with us (Mt 1:23). The angel Gabriel told Mary to “give him the name Jesus” (Lu 1:31) and each generation since his birth has been asking the question, “Who is this Jesus?” Today we consider that Jesus is “the light of the world” (Jn 8:12, 9:5).
John opens his Gospel with these words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1) and “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him” (Jn 1:9-10). “Who is this Jesus?” What does it mean when Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12, 9:5)?
John wants to make clear who Jesus is by creating contrast between darkness and light, between the darkness that is the Evil One and the One who is Light. The darkness that is evil and death and the Light that is Life. John says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:4).
To more fully engage this contrast, let’s define darkness—it is an absence of light. Blackout curtains help us sleep at night. Darkness is, however, darker than simply an absence of light. Darkness is where sin tries to hide. Darkness is a sanctuary for selfishness, fear, hatred, prejudice, and cruelty. Darkness, the haven of the Enemy of our souls, nourishes unforgiveness and bitterness and rage and retaliation. Darkness craves me and mine above mercy and generosity. Darkness loves despair and despises hope. Darkness thrives in addiction and false-self narratives. Darkness preserves the wounds of our past and keeps them alive with oozing pain. Darkness is separation from God.
It is into this darkness that Immanuel comes. “I am the light of the world,” Jesus says. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). Jesus-the-Light is our salvation and our rescue “from the dominion of darkness” (Col 1:13). The darkness that is void of Light is truly dangerous. But this deepest darkness, within us and outside of us, is overcome by Jesus-the-Light. John tells us that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:4). The darkness doesn’t stand a chance against Jesus-the-Light. Because the Light shines, he is our healing, our hope, and in Jesus we find true life. Jesus declares that he himself is the Light that leads his people. Because he came and lived and died and rose again, Jesus calls his people from darkness to light. Even though the world continues to conjure new ways of darkness and evil, the Light shines in the darkness and enables his followers to stay on the path and walk in the life-giving goodness of God.
Yet, the shadows of darkness continue to tempt us away from Jesus-the-Light. Old patterns of relating, wounds unhealed, addictions that still hold attraction remain along the path we walk each day. But we are not alone to fend off these soul enemies. By the blood of the Lamb, by the Light of Christ our Savior, and by the presence and power of God the Spirit, we cry: “Lord, help us.” Jesus-the-Light ensures that we belong, and remain, in intimate fellowship with the Triune. In Jesus’ name, we pray that the Light continues to dispel the Enemy’s schemes and the world’s darkness.
Consider—
╬ What shadows of darkness continue to trip you up? Bring them to Jesus-the-Light.
╬ Because Jesus is the Light of your life, the truth is that you have nothing to fear. What fears and anxieties is Jesus asking you to surrender now?
╬ Jesus-the-Light is illuminating the path before you. Ask him to guide you as you discern the next steps of your path.
╬ “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6). We worship you, Living God. Shine in our hearts and in our lives. Until your return, may the Kingdom of Light increasingly envelop the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.