I Am the Light of the World.

 Sermon John 8:12-20 March 12, 2022 Lent 2

I Am the Light of the World.

Jesus said, “I Am the Light of the World.” He said that in a time that electricity did not exist. He said that in a time when people relied on candles or oil lamps for illumination. If any of you lost your power in our wind, rain, snowstorm yesterday you may understand that candlelight or oil lamp light is not very illuminating.

Our lives are so filled with light that we can get up in the middle of the night and all the little LEDs or power lights of our appliances, TVs, hallway nightlights, brighten the space so much that we have no need to turn a light switch to find our way. We are flooded with light from the streetlamps, to the computer screens, iPads, cell phones, and bright overhead fluorescent lights.

Light for us is a given. Light, very bright light is expected. In your imagination when we hear Jesus say he is the Light of the world, what kind of light are you thinking he is?

Do we imagine him as bright as the sun on a hot summer day shining upon us to keep us comfortable and to warm our days with goodness? Do we imagine him as a light from our cell phone helping us look under the bed for our lost earring? Do we imagine his light for the world to be bigger than our own needs and a light to shine our way forward?

When God created the world light was the first words God spoke, “Let there be light.” And when the gospel of John begins, we hear the words, “What came into being was life and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” Clearly, light is an important announcement That Jesus was, is and will be the beginning and the end of the world and for the world. He is the Alpha and the Omega.

But if we know all this already about Jesus, why is he repeating it again here in chapter 8? Jesus was not sharing this message among the disciples in this chapter but among those who disputed his validity. There are many who need to hear God’s word revealed to them in places where it is rejected. Jesus began to speak out and speak up in places where he knew there was resistance to his claims. He spoke up about his claim in a place where he knew he would be rebuked. Jesus recognized that anyone could shine light among willing listeners. But to shine light in the dark halls of hate and injustice, that’s a different league. He demonstrates for the future generations of his church how important it is to shine clearly on areas of the world where there are people who harm others, to shine and expose systems that betray and take advantage of others.

Light has a way of shining on those whose lives have only known darkness. Evil only knows darkness and Jesus threatens to bring light there. And friends, when the threat of revelation coming to light occurs among the darkness of evil all the legions of evil let loose, and it can become very dangerous.

We are continuing to live in challenging times. There doesn’t seem to be one moment’s rest from either the problems in our homes, schools, workplaces, communities, then we turn around and witness all ‘hell’ breaking loose across the world.

I ask myself, ‘Where is this precious light of the world Jesus bringing the peace and harmony we so yearn for and desire?’

I then reread the words of Jesus as he defends himself before his critics.

I realize in his words we find our hope.

We have our hope from a God who descends from heaven to shine a light on our path for eternity.

In God’s entrance into the world through the incarnation at Christmas, God chose death at the birth of Jesus. Because God knows-all flesh dies.

God who created the world with the words, “Let there be Light”, became the Light of the world in Jesus. Long before the cross became the death of Jesus his entrance into our world to be our light sealed his fate in death.

As we walk this Lenten path, let us remember that.

God’s incredible desire for us is so strong that God chose to shine his light through his physical presence. It’s that kind of love that God is willing to give up to bring life to those who receive his light. Friends, that is some marvelous hope!

I cannot help but think of the little girl singing the song ‘Let it Go’ from Disney’s movie Frozen as she was sheltering in a bunker hiding from the bombs going off outside. Those signs of light that illuminate the darkness of our world restore us to want to do and to be more than who and what we are at the moment.

Jesus provides us with constant examples about how to live in his light and to carry on his light. Today I offer two take aways to consider. One is not to shy away from the need to speak the truth of his love even when it is dangerous. Another is to continuously bring the light to the dark places of our lives and of the world.

Jesus didn’t come into the world to win a popularity contest or to try to make everyone happy. He took his responsibility as the Son of God to show God’s love through his healing, his teaching, his message of grace. He also called people to repentance and rebuked those who were harming others. Showing grace and mercy is not about pleasing people so they feel good. It is about revealing the truth of God’s love so one’s life can be transformed and turned around.

We all need someone in our life to point out places where we can grow. Sometimes that is hard and difficult. I know that sometimes people go to see counselors and then quit going because the counselors challenged them to discover some depths of themselves that shed light on things that made them uncomfortable. It then made them angry and they quit. Sometimes the truth of Jesus shedding light on our lives can also be uncomfortable. He comes to bring us new life. And sometimes that means changing the way we are living.

Part of the reason we use candles in the church is to be reminded that the light of Christ is with us. And when we leave, we carry the light with us into the world. We have been restored to new light in worship and that grants us what we need for the next week to shine our candle of grace to those around us.

Today as we suffer through the effects of the time change for daylight savings time, we know the reward tonight will be lighter a little longer. Let us begin to be encouraged. We are moving to longer days and brighter lights.

Let’s ask Jesus to reveal to us how we can shine.

Let us ask Jesus to restore our souls so they ignite with joy.

Let us ask Jesus to recreate the spark of wonder in our hearts.

Let us go out in faith as we walk in the light together. Amen.

 

Benediction.

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World”. Jesus also said, “You are the light of the World.” Go and be light.

 Resources: NIB Commentary John's gospel.

Words and quotes property of Monica Gould