Matthew 5:14
When we think of light, we think immediately
of the sun. We’ve been taught that the sun
is the center of the solar system, and thus, it is
the light of the world. Some figures reveal the
sun’s greatness. For instance, the sun is 93 million
miles from the earth. If a baby started flying
to the sun at birth and traveled 150 miles
per hour, this baby would be nearly 71 years old
upon arrival. Also, astronomers estimate that the
diameter of the sun is 109 times that of the earth.
But, in spite of its greatness, the sun is not
the “light of the world.” The “light of the world”
is the Son of God. Jesus declared Himself to be
such. He is the One who made the sun, for He
existed with the Father at Creation. He is also the
One who, with one bold stroke, declared, “I am
the light of the world.”
I. JESUS THE LIGHT
God Himself is described as light (Ps. 104:2).
In the book of Revelation, Jesus, the Son of Man,
is described in this way: “His face was like the sun
shining in all its brilliance” (Rev. 1:16).
So, when Jesus said, “I am the light of the
world,” it was a statement about His glory, but it
was more than that. It was about what He came
to do (Luke 4). His life was about bringing life to
people (John 1:4).
Through His caring acts toward people, Jesus
came to display all the goodness of God. He
came to teach truth. And He came to bear the
punishment for our sin. In all these ways, Jesus
is the light of the world.
II. THE LIGHT’S EFFECT ON US
A. The light can be repulsive. Before Jesus
proclaimed that He was “the light of the world,”
the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a
woman caught in the act of adultery and demanded
of Him an opinion of her punishment in
light of Moses’ law. Jesus stooped and wrote on
the ground. Then He said to them, “If any one of
you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a
stone at her” (John 8:7). Then He wrote again,
and when He looked up, the accusers had fled
one by one until only the condemned woman
was left. The truth was that the Scribes and
Pharisees did not like the light (John 3:19, 20).
Because of this repulsive effect, some people
reject Jesus (John 1:11). Can you imagine a
dying person refusing to see a doctor? Can you
picture a starving person rejecting bread? Yet,
the Light was and is rejected by many.
B. Light reveals truth. It reveals the truth
about ourselves. We will never see our real
selves until we see ourselves in the context of
Christ. Sometimes it is hard to admit some of our
imperfections, but when we compare ourselves
to Christ and His Word, we are confronted with
our true selves. We are sinners in need of a Savior.
It takes humility to receive the light.
The light reveals truth about Christ Himself.
As we read in John 8, the Pharisees had a
problem with Jesus’ claim about Himself. They
wanted to argue by way of a legal standpoint.
They wanted to discuss, not believe. They wanted
a legal battle, not a saving moment. But Jesus
confidently stated the truth about Himself. John
realized the truth, so he said, “Look, the Lamb of
God, who takes away the sin of the world.” After
the resurrection, the two men who walked the
road to Emmaus finally recognized Jesus in the
light of His own revelation.
The light also reveals the truth concerning
the way of salvation (John 8:12). This means
life in all its fullness. It means eternal life! It
comes not by accepting a set of standards to
follow, nor by our promise to be good. Eternal
life is not inherited by birth but obtained by receiving
Jesus.
C. The light causes growth. As we absorb the truth and the presence of Jesus, we grow and mature just as plants need sunlight to grow. Jesus’ presence in us changes and purifies us. We blossom with godly character. We become rooted in the truth to withstand the storms and every wind of doctrine. And we are filled with joy, thankfulness, and peace. Growth comes by being guided by the light of Jesus in us. Jesus, who is also the Word, “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).
D. The light gives reassurance. Like the light
of the sun which warms us, creating a place of
peace, Jesus, the Light, brings us to a place of
peace. We gain peace because the burden of
sin is lifted and the path through life and to our
eternal home is clear and sure and mapped out
for us. We are secure, and that gives us a warm
feeling inside. It is like the comfort of seeing the
light in the window of one’s own house after being
gone.
III. OUR RESPONSE TO THE LIGHT
Once we believe and understand Jesus as the “light of the world” and become truly human as God created us, then, finally, the light in us calls forth a certain response. We follow. We have the light, and that light cannot be hidden.
A. Jesus shines through us to the world.
Like Moses, whose face glowed after being in
God’s presence, we shine because we have Jesus’
presence in us. We may not feel very bright
at times, but that is our weakness, not Jesus
within us. In our humanity, we sometimes dim,
squelch, and hide the light in us.
Without Christ in us, the greatest possible
impact that we can have is like that of a large
ship’s impact on the ocean. It leaves a wake
which is impressive for the moment but soon
disappears without a trace.
Jesus doesn’t just say, “I am the light of
the world”; to the Christian, He says, “You are
the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine
before men, that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14,
15). It is only as we strengthen our relationship
with Christ that we can be lights to the world. We
must always remember that it is the light of Jesus
that shines in us, not some self-created light.
The light also connects us to other individuals
who believe; we become part of the church.
We don’t stand alone to face the world. When
we stand together as Christians and as a church,
which is what Jesus wants, we shine even
brighter and stronger.
The church, like the people of Israel, is to
be a light to the nations. Live like a believer! Tell
the good news! Light your torch from the eternal
burning flame of Jesus and carry the light to your
family, to your friends, and to the world!
CONCLUSION
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
This is our Savior who died for us. He transforms
us. He leads us. He is light for everyone.
Do you have Him in your life? Receive Jesus as
your light. Continue to look to Him as your light.
And then let Him shine for you and through you.
Amen!
