John 8:12-20 Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness… Light and life are intimately associated. "Let there be light" was the first creative act — essential for the life that was to follow. How true of the scull A chaos of death and darkness — then the shining of the life-giving Sun of Righteousness. I. IN WHAT SENSE IS CHRIST THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. 1. The light He communicates is not derived. Christ is not a reflector, but the Spring and Source. None ever taught Him wisdom; eternity did not increase His knowledge, "God is Light" and Christ is God. 2. He is the Medium through which it is revealed to men. When the world through sin had become exposed to the withdrawal of all heavenly light, then by Christ's interposition was a gentle ray preserved. This grew till in His own Person He brought the full and living manifestation of glory. II. THE CHARACTER OF THE LIGHT. 1. Christ brought into the world knowledge. No small advance had been made in knowledge before Christ came — art, science, and philosophy had flourished. But the knowledge of God and futurity had almost died out. And the advances of the human intellect would seem to have been permitted to prove that men by searching could not find out God. 2. Christ brought into the world holiness. Light and purity, darkness and unholiness are synonymous terms. "Ye were once darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord." The wisdom of the world may exist with the grossest passions, but the "Light of the world" cleanses as well as instructs. III. THE RELATION OF THE LIGHT TO THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL. "He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Following the course of the sun, we cannot but have the "light of life." As the flowers, drawn by the attracting power of the sun's rays, turn round and follow the great light of day in his course in the heavens, drinking in with avidity every beam, developing new beauties, giving forth fresh odours with every ray of light received, so the Christian, drawn by the magnetic influence of Divine love, living in constant intercourse with the source of all inspiration, following closely the light of truth which radiates from the eternal sun, develops fresh beauties of character, gives forth the sweet perfume of true nobleness of life, adorning the doctrines of Christ the Saviour. (T. Mirams.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. |
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