JOHN | Light of the World

During the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites installed four 75-foot poles in the temple courtyard. Each of the poles had four large bowls. Using ladders, the temple assistants would climb the poles with 20-gallon containers full of oil. They would fill the bowls and light them at night during the feast. The light would illuminate Jerusalem and the warm glow would reflect off the stone walls. There would be singing and dancing and celebration as the Israelites remembered God’s provision for their ancestors in the desert.

The light represented the Pillar of Light that guided the Israelites in the desert at night. In our study in the Gospel of John this week, Jesus says that He is The Light of the World. What do you do with the Light? The purpose ... when you don’t know which way to turn ... lost ... in darkness, “I am the Light of the world.”

You follow the Light, and in the Light you live. This imagery would have been powerful to them. It’s a reminder for us today as well. Come join us on Sunday to learn more about what Jesus meant when He said “I Am the Light of the World.” — Ed