Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

February 9, 2005

John 8:12-20

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world”

INTRODUCTION: Our Lenten pilgrimage begins tonight on Ash Wednesday. During these next 40 days we will observe our Lord’s Passion as He bears our sins on the bloody cross, offering us a great exchange – our sins for His righteousness

To help us along this Lenten journey we will be listening to Jesus’ words as He describes Himself to us in the Gospel of John. What would the Savior say to us tonight? He would remind us that He is the light of the world.

“Then Jesus spoke again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Light – we take it for granted until we don’t have it – as in an ice or snowstorm! Its wonders are beheld in magnificent sunsets and sunrises – it can travel at a distance of _____________.  In our text for this evening Jesus refers Himself as the true light that this world still needs. 

I.                    Jesus is the light of the world.

A.       He is the one who gives life and light to the world.

1.        He was present at the world’s creation. “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it.”  (John 1:1-5)

2.        He alone can give us life and rest spiritually. “Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give your rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

B.        He alone is capable of sustaining life.

1.        He asks, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25)

2.        His answer – “Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (V. 26)

3.        We need to commit all into His care, trusting in Him that He will bring everything to pass.

Transition: Since the Savior has brought life into this world He asks of us to trust Him.

II.                 Believe and follow Him.

A.       You’ll never walk in darkness.

1.      You can’t be in darkness if He is the true light.

2.      Follow Him as He goes to the cross exchanging your life of sin for His perfection, your darkness for His true light.

B.        With Jesus leading we will always have the light of life.

1.      John reminds us early in his Gospel “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (v.11) The world rejected Him! Who killed Jesus? You did! I did!

2.      But to those who come by faith – “Yet to all who received Him to those who believed in His name. He gave the right to be come children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will but born of God.” (John 1:12-13)

CONCLUSION: Jesus is the light – neglect not the light! Hate not the light! Seek it. But beware of false light!