You Are the Light of the World

The setting for the “I AM” statement of Jesus from yesterday was the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem, John 7. This was known as the great feast. It was the third of the three feasts of Israel; Feast of Passover (first month), Feast of Pentecost (fifty days after Passover), and Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (seventh month). It celebrated the miraculous provision of God for the nation while they lived in tents in the wilderness. God provided manna each day, water from a rock, a cloud by day, and fire by night for forty years.

         One of the ways Israel celebrated this feast in Jesus’ day was with a huge olive oil lamp in the midst of the Temple court. The wick was made of the worn-out clothes of the priests.  Olive oil was brought in by the barrels to keep this massive lamp lite for each night of the feast. It was with this backdrop that Jesus cried out, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.

         When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and follow Christ as your Lord, you have His life as your life; you have the light of life. Light means relationship. Without light you cannot relate to what is around you. You cannot see anything in relationship with you. Without light you will bump into things and trip over objects you cannot see. Without light people will soon get depressed and even go mad. Jesus described hell as the outer darkness, “…will be thrown into outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:12.

In Christ you are able to see a new relationship with the Father. In Christ you are able to see a new relationship with others. In Christ you are able to see the world the way that Jesus sees the world. The light of His relationships (life) shines from within and through you and you become “…the light of the world…that others may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14 – 16. Your good works are now done in and by the light of His life. Others around you see His life as yours, which points to the amazing love of the Father. He is glorified and you are full of joy! AMEN!