Names of Jesus: Light of the World/To Phos Tou Kosmou

This week we're going to talk about how Jesus is the Light of the World. This name came about because of different Jewish words for "Messiah," one of them being "Light." In the Bible, we see Satan, sin and death portrayed as darkness. In Matthew 4:16 we see that those who are saved were once in darkness, but have seen a great light.

I randomly looked up the FBC Watchdog today. He's still watching. Why? I don't understand how someone who was so fed up with the church and left it is still keeping tabs on it. It doesn't make sense. There are so many people commenting on his blogs about how he's so right about everything he says, and everyone else is just blind. Is it not just as narrow-minded to think that he's infallible? We're all human. The church is run by humans. Obviously, the church is not going to be perfect - and you don't have to go to FBC to be a Christian. (That's a "duh" moment for you.)

In all honesty, Christians are narrow-minded about one thing; the only thing that should actually matter. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. (How's that for narrow-minded?) Jesus IS the Light of the World. One day, He will show everyone that light, and they will all see how wrong they were. (Disclaimer: I'm not saying that the Watchdog isn't a Christian or that he isn't saved. I'm not the judge of that. His blog just served as an illustration for my blog.)

I think that a lot of times, people don't realize that a lot of the stuff we get all worked up about doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Jesus shows the Pharisees that all the time. He came into the world being the only one who saw the difference between right and wrong and chose what was right all the time. He was above the law. (He created it after all.) Yet He chose to live under the law. He lived with people who were constantly choosing the wrong thing. His closest friends were sinners!(Even if your best friend is God today, you're still a sinner. He knows that and still loves you.) I can't imagine how frustrating that must have been for Him. Spending all this time with the Light of the World. Someone who was so radically and obviously different from them and not being able to choose the right thing. I think a lot of the time we forget that the disciples were sinners too.

Did you know that Satan was the angel of light? That's what God created him to be. Satan got it in his head that he could be better than God. So, he tried and failed (because he is the creation, not the Creator), and ended up taking 1/3 of the angels with him. Satan is darkness because darkness is the absence of light. Whenever I think about the end of the Tribulation and the Millenial reign of Christ, I always think about that scene in Hercules when the Titans are locked up by Zeus. How much greater will it be to live with Christ!

I remember being afraid of the dark for the longest time. Bad things happen in the dark. You can't see someone hiding in your room. You can't tell what your surroudings are. Everything is distorted in the darkness. That's how it is spiritually too. When you are spiritually in the dark, you really do not have a sense of what is right and wrong? How can you? You can't see where you're going. That's why Jesus came. He didn't want us to have to grope around in the darkness tugging at everything that looked like it might be what we need.

Promises you can take to the bank:
You don't have to be afraid of the dark, because Jesus already conquered it for you.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

You shouldn't let your friends scurry around in the dark. Lead them like moths to Jesus Christ's light.

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. - John 8:12

One day, everyone will be brought out of darkness and will see His light. *

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and His glory appears over you." - Isaiah 9:2; 60:2

(*This is not to say everyone will go to Heaven. You have to accept Jesus to do that. If you're wondering how, there's not some magic way to do it. You can't just say some words and be done with it. You have to realize that not everything (or anything) you do is moral. None of it means anything if you're glorifying yourself. You have to realize that you're a sinner in need of a Savior. He came and lived a sinless life on earth, was betrayed by one of His closest friends, was beaten and tortured and ridiculed. He conquered death and rose again just to be with YOU. All you need to do is tell Him that you're thankful for that. That you need Him and His grace and mercy. After that, your life is not over. It has just begun! You'll still have problems, and you'll still be a sinner, but Jesus is in your heart! You can always ask Him for forgiveness. He will be your closest companion. If you need any more help, leave a comment.)