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Who is Jesus?
The Light
Part XI of the Series. Bible study on Jesus as the Light.

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.