Sermon Nuggets Week of May 26, 2008
Theme – The Light of the World
Verses: John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Perhaps you heard the story of the battleship at sea. The Admiral commandeering the ship saw lights at a distance directly ahead. He had his dispatcher radio the message. "We are in direct line, alter your course 10 degrees to the South." He saw the signal flash back confirming the approach but commanded the battleship to alter it’s course 10 degrees to the North.
The Admiral issued another command. "This is Admiral Brown. I order you to alter your course 10 degrees to the South."
They watched the return signal respond, "This is private Jones. You must alter your course 10 to the North."
He decided to show his power. "This is Admiral Brown, commanding a battleship- You alter you course 10 degrees to the South, if you know what is good for you!"
The response came. "This is Private Jones. I am commanding the signal of the Bay lighthouse. You alter your course 10 degrees to the North, if you know what is good for you!"
It makes no difference what your title or position is, you don't argue with the lighthouse. It makes no difference what your title or position is, You do not argue with God.
Jesus tells us He is that Lighthouse. He uses words a little differently but listen to them, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
He might as well have added, "Alter you course 180 degrees to the North."
Last week as we looked at the context of John 8 the Jews were celebrating the festival of the Feast of the Tabernacles. This commemorates the time when God provided for His people in the wilderness. God led them by the pillar of fire during the night and the cloud during the day. Many orthodox Jews today make temporary booths with a gap in part of the branches the use for the roof, so they might watch for a cloud or a pillar of fire.
William Barclay's commentary tells us that on the evening of the first day of the Festival there was a ceremony called the Illumination of the Temple. It was to acknowledge this light of God that led them in the dark of the night. In the center of the court four great candelabra were lit and it was said, that they sent such ablaze of light throughout Jerusalem that every courtyard in the city was lit up with their brilliance.
Jesus was standing there making this proclamation. As Light of the World He stood contrasting even the illumination of the light from the temple. Jesus is providing the light from God that saves and directs His people.
Jesus was not just the light for the Jews but for the world. We will look this week at the reasons for Jesus’ claim. All who follow Him will walk in the Light of God.
Pastor Dale
