The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 514

Ver. 12.-The light of the world. Our Lord was now)n the temple. A crown WM nronnd him. It wns enrly in the morning. The s11n rose over Olivet and lookod through the porticoes of the temple on its Creator teaching the people within. The ,11n is nn old nnd eminent missionary of God in nature. It was as seraphic and ready to convey now idons nnd truths now as ever. The people naturally turned to greet its appenrnnco. Our Lord took advantage of the occurrence to reveal himself as the world ·s Light. Whnt the sun is to the physical world, he is to thP. moral. "I am the Light," oto. Notico- 1. CnmsT AS THE LrnHT OF THE WORLD. "I am," etc. This implies : 1. That the world was morally dark. It became so by the early sin of its first inhabitants. Its morn\ condition wns like that of its physical at the beginning-without form and void, and darkness brooding on the face of the abyss. It deviated from its original nnd propor centre, and wandered into moral gloom; it became spiritually ignorant of God, of immortality, and of its highest good, spiritually impure, depraved and dead, lying in wickedness, and in the valley of the shadow of death. 2. That Christ became its light. "I am," etc. He is the physical Light of the world. The sun is but the dazzle of his presence, the stars are but the smiles of his face, and the day is but the placid light of his countenance. He is the mental Light of the world. Intellect and reason are the emanations of his aenius. If he hides his face, they are eclipsed; if be withdrew his support, they :ould be extinguished. He is the spiritual Light of the world, the Light of the heart and conscience. By the Incarnation he is specially the spiritual Light of the world. He is the Sun of the spiritual empire. (1) He is the Source and Medium of spiritual knowledge. He is the Revealer of God and man, their mutual relationships, and the way of access to and peace with him. lie sheds full light upon every subject which pertains to the highest well-being of the human race. (2) He is the Source and Medium of spiritual holiness. Light is an emblem of purity. Jesus is the Medium and Source of man's sanctification. His life was an embodiment of purity. His character was spotless, his doctrines and Spirit are sanctifying, his example is pure and leads the soul upwards, and bis life is still like the perfume of heavenly roses, making even the air of our world fragrant. (3) He is the Source and Medium of spiritual life. Light is life, and life is light. •• In him was life, and the life was the Light of men." "He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He brought life and immortality to light, and by faith they are communicated to men. 3. That he is the only true light of the world. (1) He is the only original and inde- pendent Source of Divine light. In the solar system there are many stars and planets, but only one sun, from which all the other bodies derive their light. John the Baptist was a bright and a shining light. The prophets, apostles, and reformers through the ages were shining luminaries, but they only reflected the light they borrowed from him whn is the Light of the world. He is the great and only inexhaustible and independent Source of light, of spiritual knowledge, purity, and life. He is not the stream, but tho Fountain; not a borrower of light, but its original Source. "He is the true Light." (2) He is the worlrJ:s light naturally and essentially. By vi.Jtue of the divinity of his Person and mission, by his eternal fitness, voluntary choice, and Divine election. His advent was no intrusion upon the order of this world, and created no jarring in the system of things, but naturally fitted in. Without him, all would be discord; with him, all will be harmony; and when his influence will be fully felt, earth and heaven will be filled with the sweetest music. His incarnation was natural, like the rising sun and the consequent day. 4. That he is specially t~ Light of this our world. As God, he is the Light of all worlds and systems-they all revolve around his eternal throne, aud receive their light and life from his Presence; but as God-Man he is peculiarly the Light of this world. This world is a platform on which the Almighty has acted a special part, taught special lessons, performed a special work, and shone with special brilliancy. But far be it from us to limit the influence of the incarnate life of Jesus. We know not to what extent what he did in our world affected even thrones, principalities, and powers; how high or low or wide the "It is finished I" echoed. It may affect, and pro- bably does affect, the remotest confines of his vast empire; but enough it is for us to know that he is the Light of this world. In this comparatively small mansion of his Father's houso the matchless drama of Divine mercy was acted, and here Divine love blazed in sacrifice, nud in our sky "the Sun of Righteousness arose with healing in hi!i  3!)0 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING 'l'O S'l'. JOHN, [on, vm. 1--50,