Title: Jesus Christ, the Light / John 8:12
Title: Jesus Christ as Light / John 8:12
(John 8:12) And Jesus spoke again, saying, I am the light of the world.
He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
1. Special usage of [ego emmy]
(1) The usage of [ ] [I am ...] is a special usage to indicate that Jesus is God.
(2) This is connected with the words of the Old Testament.
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am."
⑶ This is the second of the seven verses in the Gospel of John.
① Rice cake (6:35)
②Light (8:12)
③ Door (10:7)
④ Shepherd (10:11)
⑤ Resurrection and life (11:25)
⑥The way, the truth, and the life (14:6)
⑦ The vine (15:1)
2. Meaning of the word "light"
⑴ Original word "phos"
(2) Background
① Feast of Tabernacles
Jesus is saying these words after the Feast of Tabernacles. This is connected with the event of the Exodus where [manna] is spoken in chapter 6 and [living water] in chapter 7, and at the same time it is connected with the meaning and ceremony of the Feast of Tabernacles.
On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jews not only fetched water from Siloam, but also performed a lamp-lighting ceremony.
* Sabbath ordinance (Sukkah) 5:2-4
In the courtyard of the inner chambers "there were candlesticks of gold... and on top of the candlesticks were four bowls of gold, and each candlestick had four legs... They were the old garments and belts of the priests, and used to make candle wicks." He made a candle and lighted a candlestick with the candle wick. ... People who were reverent and did many good deeds appeared in front of them.
He used to dance and sing songs and hymns with burning torches in his hands."
* In this ceremony, on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, after the sun went down, a large pillar was erected in the temple yard, and lanterns were hung to light the fire to form a stream of fire and play lanterns. However, by preparing two lamps, it is to commemorate God's grace in saving the people of Israel with a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud in the wilderness.
② Background of Judaism
a. The light follows the manifestation of the deity.
(Psalm 80:3) Restore us, O God, and make your face shine, that we may be saved.
(Genesis 15:17) As the sun went down and it was dark, a smoking furnace was seen, and a burning torch passed through the pieces of meat.
b. become a symbol of divine precepts.
(Psalm 119:105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(Psalm 27:1) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; whom shall I fear?
c. Light can also mean law.
(Proverbs 6:23) For commandment is a lamp, law is light, instruction and reproof are the way of life.
d. In later (1c) Qumran sources, light is also used in a special messianic sense.
③ Background of the Synoptic Gospels
a. Parable of the Lamp - The Revelation of Jesus' Mission
(Mark 4:21) And he said to them, "No one brings a lamp, either under a horse or under a table.
Is it for fear or not to put it on a lampstand?
b. The completion of Jesus' ministry - Matthew 4:16 as the completion of Isaiah 9:1
(Isaiah 9:2) The people who walked in darkness saw a great light, and light came to those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death.
jade
(Matthew 4:16) The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and light came to those who sat in the land and shadow of death.
It was said that it was shining.
c. Simeon praised in Luke 2 as the fulfillment of the prophecy of light in the Old Testament
(Isa 49:6) He said, "It is a light thing for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to bring back those who are preserved in Israel.
(Luke 2:32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
d. (Matthew 5:14) "You are the light of the world"
## Although the background of John is largely in the Christian tradition, he was influenced by the background of the Old Testament,
Rather than cosmological, it is described in the New Testament's "redemptive function".
3. "He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Before Christ came into the world, the world was in darkness. The world did not know God. But Jesus came and shone a light in front of the people. Then people received the light of the knowledge of the glory of God through Jesus Christ.
(John 8:12) And Jesus spoke again, saying, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
(2) It serves to guide us.
(John 12:36) Believe in the light while you still have the light, and you will become sons of light...
(John 12:46) I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not dwell in darkness.
Just as God led Israel with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, so God guides us.
lead you safely to heaven.
### Lessons from Pillars of Fire and Clouds ###
① It shows the presence of God.
Exodus 13:21 The LORD went before them, and led their way with a pillar of cloud by day.
By night he makes them go by night and by night with a pillar of fire.
Exodus 13:22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from the presence of the people.
*In the same way, the Lord, who is God, dwells among us.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory
Glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth
② Demonstrate protection.
He protects from the cold of night and the heat of the day with a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud.
Psalm 105:39 The LORD spread the cloud and made it a cover; he lit it with fire by night.
* Thus the Lord protects his people.
③ It is a symbol of God's guidance.
As the cloud of God led, Israel followed.
Numbers 9:17 When the cloud rose from the tabernacle, the children of Israel went on
Where the cloud stayed, the children of Israel encamped.
Numbers 9:18 The children of Israel proceeded at the command of the LORD, and encamped at the command of the LORD, and they camped while the cloud stayed over the tabernacle.
Numbers 9:19 When the days of the cloud remain over the tent for a long time, the children of Israel will obey the Lord's command.
did not proceed
Numbers 9:20 Perhaps even when the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for a few days, they just stayed and stayed at the command of the LORD, and went on at the command of the LORD.
Numbers 9:21 Perhaps the cloud stayed from evening to morning, and when the cloud rose in the morning, they went ahead and the cloud stayed day and night, and when it rose, it proceeded immediately.
Numbers 9:22 For two days, or a month, or a year, as long as the cloud remains over the tabernacle,
The children of Israel camped and did not proceed; but when they came up, they proceeded.
Numbers 9:23 They encamped at the command of the LORD, and went on at the command of the LORD.
And he kept the office of the LORD according to the command of the LORD, which he had given through Moses
* As Israel followed where the cloud went, it did not run ahead and did not fall behind.
We must follow the guidance of the Lord.