The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 515

wings.''. 5. That he is the l,i,ght of the whole of this wo,-ld. . Not of a part of it, not of n certmn 11um1?cr, but ol the whole human family. '1'!1-ere 1s ?O sun for Europe, 1md another ror Asia; but one sun for the world, and one 1s sufficient. Jesus is tho oco Light _of the _moral world, and he ill enough. As a Prophet, the whole humnu family may Bit at his feet at t~1e sa~e time and be taught o! hi~; ae a King, his sceptre ruleth over all ; as a High Priest, he holds the world 1n Ins arms, and successfully pleads for it. 'l'he sacrifice he presents is for the whole world, aud it is sufficient; tho world's prayers may nscend in the incense nnd be answered. Ho has given "the heathen for his inheritance," etc. He is the world's Light, and it has n right to him. 6. Tltat this is a well-atte.sted fact. (1) Attested by tlte testimony of Christ himself. "I am," etc. He bears record of himself, but his record is truo. lf ho bore not record of himself, who would or could? His bearing record of himself was a simple necessity. "\~ho could relate the story of him whose goings forth have been from eternity, but he himself? Ile knew what no human being could know, nnd he was too intellio-ent 0 to mistake, too pure ic character to deceive, and too great to overrate himself. Wheu we speak of ourselves we a.re in danger of overrating ourselves. BL1t Jesus could not mnkc himself greater than he was; he made himself less-made himself o[ no reputa- tion. He bore record of himself. The sun docs this. It is n witness to itself, and says, "I am the light of the world," by filling it nt the same time with a flood of radiance. Jesus did the same, bringing life and immortality to light. (2) Attested by the obser- vation and experience of others. 'l'he presence of the sun is attested by a thousand eyes, During the ministry of our Lord the multitudes basked in his light. The physically and spiritually blind saw the light, and to them who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death arose a great light, nnd all saw that liad eyes to see. (3) It is an ever- increasingly attested fact. It became more evident with the increasing light of tho Lorcl and the increasiug capacity of mankind to comprehend and enjoy him. lie shone in his pure and loving life, his gracious words, his mighty and benevolent deeds, and e,pecially in his self-sacrificing death. True, the Sun of Righteousness was eclipsed on Golgotha; but it was only partial and temporary. If it was dark on this, it was light on tr.c other side. If the women wept, mercy and truth met in lodng embrace and smiled above the sacrifice, and the Divine throne was encircled with a wreath of saving rncliance. So light it was that the blind thief was restored to eight and saw a kingdom, and from the gloom of death the San of Righteousness rose into its meridian splendour, and through succeeding ages it has shone with ever-increasing brilliancy. The evidence of Christ being the Light of the world daily grows stronger, and will soon be complete in a world filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Il. CnnIST AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IN THE CONDITIONS OF ITS ENJOYMENT A~"'Il nLESSINGS. 1. In its conditions. The enjoyment of all mercies is conditional. 'l'he simple existence of light will not ensure its enjoyment. It has conditions. 'l'he condition of enjoying the Light of the world is to follow Christ. This involves: (1) The soul being with-in the sphere of his attraction and light. This involves knowledge, faith, obedience, discipleship, to sit at his feet and learn of him, arknowledgment of his ieJ.dership, and impressibility to hls influence. (2) Consecration of soul to him. The earth's enjoyment of the light and heat of the sun depends upon its position in relation to that luminary. This makes its spring and summer. The enjoyment of Ch.i-ilot by the soul depends upon its attitude in relation to him. This attitude should be one of entire consecration, self-surrender, prayer, and yearning for his guidance and inspiration. The face of the soul should be turned right towards hiru. 'l'his will make its summer and spring. (3) A continually progressive movement in Ms direction. '.l.'o follow means progress. The soul cannot be stationary and follow Christ, but it must ever press forward and upward in the direction of hie example, character, life, Spirit, and glory. 2. In its blessing,. (1) The avoidance of darkness. "Shall not walk," etc. What a blessicg it is to avoid physical darkness, ecpeeially in its per- manency and progress! To be in it for a while is bad enough, but to walk in it is worse still-dangeroUB ancl miserable. To follow Christ is a sure exemption [rom spiritual darkness, ignorance, viee, and death, and their terrible consequences, misery aud hell There may be clouds and shadows arising from tho imperfection of the following, from the native gloom of the soul, or perhaps froll'. the effulgence of the light; but ihese will only be t.emporary. The follower of ChrM can never be loug in dark- en. vm. 1-59.J 'l'llE GOSPEL ACCOltDING TO ST. JOllN. 391