John 7:1-14 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. 2 But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him:

“You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

6 Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. 8 You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.” 9 Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10 However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, “Where is that man?” 12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews. 14 Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Today: “I am the Light of the World”

“I Am the Light of the World”: Knowing God’s Guidance John 7:1-4, 8:12 Going on a trip Map or atlas GPS God’s Positioning System

God desires to give direction to us. Central theme in Jesus’ words: “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)

Into the Word Important to know the context The Festival of Tabernacles (or Booths) Annual Jewish festival

John 7:1-14 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. 2 But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do…

Jewish festival to remember how God gave them direction in the wilderness They lived in temporary shelters or “huts” in the desert During the festival they lived in booths (“sukkot” in Hebrew) Still done today

The purpose of the festival… A time remember Their ancestors journey in the wilderness Out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land How God gave them guidance 2 Pillars Smoke and Fire

It was in this setting that Jesus revealed himself Seemingly reluctant at first, He went and began to teach People didn’t know what to make of him

10 However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, “Where is that man?” 12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews. 14 Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.

The Grand Illumination

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

What a bold statement Jesus was making! He was saying that he would guide them like God had guided his people Just like bread was a symbol the Jews understood, The symbol of light was one they should have understood also He was pointing the way to the Father

The Jewish leaders were nervous (7:32-52, 8:13-20) The Sanhedrin met, against their own law, to decide what to do with Jesus The Hall of Hewn Stones

The Sanhedrin’s concern Consider the meaning of Jesus’ words He is comparing himself to God He is revealing something entirely new! It will turn the world upside down Disrupt the Jewish expectations Jesus threatened accepted beliefs Couldn’t see the truth due to legalism

Putting it all together “I am the light of the world.” Draws upon Jewish image of guidance We all need guidance Sometimes we recognize the need, sometimes we don’t The image of the sukkot festival is a good reminder that we need to seek God’s direction

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” Jesus gives us light for our journey It is not as simple as using a GPS Our route is not so clear Stopping points not always obvious Road trips where we meander can yield unexpected blessings and get us into difficult situations

The key is to stay connected to God through his Word and prayer and with his people Our route in life is not necessarily about geographic location: Our way of thinking Purpose in life Priorities in what we do The way we interact

GPS feature: The little blinking dot that shows us where we are If we make a wrong turn, we see it We are rerouted In our lives it is not always so easy to see where we are in life The amazing thing is that God can even use our meandering!

Rob Fuquay raises some good questions: What is the power of the person who recognizes their need for God’s direction? What does it look like when, like the Sanhedrin, we refuse to recognize our need for God’s guidance?

What does it mean to be open to God’s direction when we don’t think we need to change direction? What does it mean to seek God’s guidance willingly?

Litany When we look around us and feel that only darkness and emptiness surround us, illuminate our hearts with Jesus’ words, “I am the Light of the World.”

When we look for God in the places of pain and suffering, pleading for that holy presence to be made evident even in the gloomiest of places, help us to see God at work through Jesus’ promise, “I am the Light of the World.”

When we feel far away from God, even when we try to create that distance ourselves, remind us that the love of God is always touching us through Jesus’ words, “I am the Light of the World.”

When we can’t figure out where to go next, what to do, or who to be, help us to hear God’s call and see the path illuminated for us by the one who says, “I am the Light of the World.”

When we wonder how we will go out into the world and shine God’s light, sharing God’s love with all the earth, let us follow Jesus’ lead as he reveals himself to us, saying, “I am the Light of the World.” Amen.