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In this series we're talking about the names and descriptive
phrases identifying Jesus. Thus far we've talked about Jesus
as God,
Lord,
Savior,
Christ,
Creator,
the Word,
the Son of
God, the life,
the Lamb
of God, and the propitiation
for our sins.
In this article, we talk about Jesus as the Light.
Figurative Uses of "Light"
In Scripture, the word "light" is used literally and figuratively.
"Light" is used figuratively to express: (Vine's)
- The glory of God's dwelling-place (1 Tim. 6:16).
- The nature of God (1 Jn. 1:5).
- The impartiality of God (Jas. 1:17).
- The favor of God (Ps. 4:6).
- The King (Pr. 16:15).
- An influential man (Job 29:24).
- God, as the illuminator of His people (Is. 60:19-20).
- The Lord Jesus as the illuminator of men (Jn. 1:4,
5, 9).
- The illuminating power of the Scriptures (Ps. 119:105).
- The judgments and commandments of God (Is. 51:4; Pr.
6:23).
- The guidance of God (Job 29:3; Ps. 112:4; Is. 58:10).
- Salvation (1 Pet. 2:9).
- Righteousness (Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 11:14,15; 1 Jn. 2:9-10).
- The witness for God (Matt. 5:14, 16; Jn. 5:35).
- Prosperity and general well-being (Esth. 8:16; Job
18:18; Is. 58:8-10).
- And, ironically, the guidance of man (Rom. 2:19).
Jesus at His Birth
Shortly after His birth, Jesus' parents took Him to the
temple, presented Him to the Lord, and offered the required
sacrifice.
Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, went to the temple,
took Jesus in His arms, and said, "For my eyes have seen
Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence
of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel" (Lk. 2:32).
Simeon speaks of Jesus as the salvation and light God
promised (Isaiah 9:2; 42:6; 49:6,9; 51:4; 60:1-3).
Jesus, at His birth, fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah.
He is the light of revelation God sent into the world.
Jesus at the Beginning of His Ministry
When Jesus began His ministry in Capernaum, Matthew tells
us this was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesy.
- "The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great
light, and those who were sitting in the land and
shadow of death, upon them a light dawned" (Matt.
4:16).
Besides fulfilling Isaiah's prophesies at His birth, Jesus
fulfilled Isaiah's prophesies when He began preaching the
gospel.
Jesus is the Light of the World
Jesus is the Light of the world (Jn. 1:4-9; 8:12). This
figure of speech is applicable to Him because:
- In Him we have life, and the life is the Light of man
(Jn. 1:4; 8:12).
- We believe through Him (Jn. 1:7).
- Jesus enlightens every man (Jn. 1:9).
- By believing in Jesus, we become sons of Light (Jn.
12:36).
- By believing in Jesus, we escape from darkness (Jn.
12:46).
- Jesus' blood cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7).
Christians Love The Light
Every person loves either darkness or the Light. People
who love darkness hate the Light. And people who love the
Light hate darkness.
- "For everyone who does evil hates the Light,
and does not come to the Light for fear that his
deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth
comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested
as having been wrought in God" (Jn. 3:20-21).
Christians Walk in the Light
We walk in the Light because God is Light.
- "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce
to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is
no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship
with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as
He Himself is in the Light . . . " (1 Jn. 1:5-7).
Because we walk in the Light, "the blood of Jesus His
Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 Jn. 1:5-7).
Christians are Children of Light
Walking in the Light, we are children of Light (Eph. 5:8).
- "For you were formerly darkness, but now you are
Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light" (Eph.
5:8).
As a result, we expose the unfruitful deeds of darkness
(Eph. 5:11-13).
Christians Are the Light of the World
As children of Light, exposing darkness, we are the light
of the world.
- "You are the light of the world . . ." (Matt.
5:14).
Therefore we shine our light by essence of who we are.
- ". . . A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket,
but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all
who are in the house" (Matt. 5:14-15).
And men glorify God, as a result of seeing our good works.
- "Let your light shine before men in such a way
that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).
Result: Eternal Life
As children of the Light, we "share in the inheritance
of the saints in Light" (Col. 1:12).
Therefore we will spend eternity in heaven, where there
is eternal light (Rev. 21:24; 22:5).
To be continued.
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