He Is Part 1— I Am the Light of the World
Pastor Mark Carrillo
Moses and the Burning Bush
“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”” (Exodus 3:11, ESV)
“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”” (Exodus 3:14, ESV)
I AM (Yahweh)
The name “I AM” indicates that God is eternal
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” (Exodus 13:21, ESV)
What the pillar of cloud and fire was to Israel, Jesus will be to us.
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” (Proverbs 4:18, ESV)
I AM the Light of the World (Tabernacles)
“Men of piety and good works’ danced through the night, holding burning torches in their hands and singing songs and praises. The Levitical orchestras cut loose, and some sources attest that this went on every night of the Feast of Tabernacles, with the light from the temple area shedding its glow all over Jerusalem. In this context Jesus declares to the people, I am the light of the world.”
The Pillar New Testament Commentary
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “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, ESV)
Wuest — “Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I alone, in contradistinction to all others, am the light of the world.”
Jesus’ use of the phrase “I Am” identifies Him as God.
“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”” (John 8:58, ESV)
Israel had been called to be a light to the nations.
“”I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,” (Isaiah 42:6, ESV)
The Feast of Tabernacles was unique in that Gentile nations were invited
Also called The Festival of Ingathering (Harvest)
Witness of the Light
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:6-9, ESV)
We Reflect the Light of Jesus
“”You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV)
“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8, ESV)
Future Light New Jerusalem
“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,” (Revelation 21:23-24, ESV)
At the Feast of Tabernacles (also Succoth or Sukkot)
Was to be celebrated in the present;
To remember the past provision in the wilderness;
While looking forward to the future Messianic period.
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The 7 I AM Statements:
“I am the bread of life”
“I am the light of the world.”
“I am the door.”
“I am the good shepherd.”
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
“”I am the true vine.”
Each I AM statement gives us a glimpse into God’s character. It”s important to read these statements in context so we can understand of what Jesus was really saying.
“And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!” (Exodus 3:14, AMP)
“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” (Genesis 1:3-5, ESV)
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, KJV)