1. The doctrine of Light was well-developed in the Gospel of John
2. The following texts must be reviewed carefully
a) Presenting the Lord Jesus as the Light (John 1:1-9)
b) Why people reject the Light (John 3:19-21)
c) Emphasis on being the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:4)
THE CHALLENGE TO UTILISE THE LIGHT
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
John 11:9-11
1. The illustration of Sunlight
a) 12 hours of sunlight each day
b) If a person walks in the daylight, he does not stumble
c) He sees the light of world (sunlight)
2. The Internal Light
a) There is an internal light
b) This harks back to John 1:4-5, 9
i) This light is found in the life that the Lord gives
ii) It gives necessary light from within
c) The Lord Jesus used this light
i) To guide Him in making decisions
ii) To help Him walk without fear or uncertainty
3. The Disciples
a) They had been given light
b) But they had not learned how to use the light in them
c) Thus, they could not understand some of the decisions the Lord Jesus made
THE CHALLENGE TO WALK IN THE LIGHT
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
John 12:34-36
1. The lack of knowledge and comprehension of the people
a) The saying of the Lord Jesus about His death
b) They had little understanding about “The Son of Man”
2. The Response of the Lord Jesus
a) A little while longer the light is with you
i) He was referring to Himself as the Light
ii) This was what the Lord had said earlier (John 8:12; 9:4)
iii) He would be on earth a little longer
b) Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you
i) The light given must be utilised
ii) The danger of darkness overtaking was very real
iii) If light is not used, darkness may well prevail
c) He who walks in darkness does not know where he is going
i) Lack of knowledge is darkness indeed
ii) Walking in darkness is very real
iii) One does not know where he is going
d) While you have the light, believe in the light
i) The Light was the Lord Jesus Himself
ii) There must be faith in the Light (the Lord Jesus)
iii) Without this faith there will be no Light
e) That you may become sons of Light
i) Believing in the Lord Jesus results in being “sons of Light”
ii) This light was meant to become a permanent part of our life
3. Departing from the people
a) The Lord Jesus left the people deliberately
b) He had given them answers already
c) It was up to them now to understand what He had said to them about being the Son of Man
d) They could understand if they bothered at all
e) But if they had no more desire than “idle interest”, then He would:
i) Depart from them
ii) Be hidden from them
A SUMMARY OF THE DOCTRINE OF LIGHT
1. The Lord Jesus
a) He is the Light of life
b) He is the Light of the world
2. Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ
a) We are given Light
b) We become sons of Light
3. The Challenge
a) We are to walk in the light
b) We are to utilize the light that God has given to us
CONCLUSION
1. The Multitudes
a) Many lived in darkness (Matthew 4:15-16)
b) They had seen a great light (Matthew 4:16)
13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles: 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:13-17
2. Walking in the light
a) The Lord Jesus brought much-needed light
b) We must choose to walk in the light
c) We can be the light of God in this darkened world
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.