The Light of the World

On a senior adult trip to the Lost Sea back in 2008 there was a point in time which the tour guide let all of us present experience what total darkness is like. When everybody was ready, all lights were extinguished for a few seconds so everyone would know that eery feeling. Deep underground on the way to the body of water known as the Lost Sea, there is no outside light present at that point on the tour. However, after a few seconds the lights are turned back on and you're relieved because you can see again.
Have you ever wondered how it would feel to have been blind all of your life and have Jesus provide you with the gift of sight? Our text comes from John 9:1-12 which contains one of Jesus' famous statements "I am the light of the world" (5). As we examine this story, let us notice some of the practical applications from the first few verses of the text.
Bad things in our lives can have great outcomes
Often times we see people in difficult situations and we wonder why. I don't believe there is anything wrong with that, as we don't know the answers, but God knows and He has a reason. I heard a story one time about a couple who had a son that was killed in a robbery. There was a trial for the other young man who killed their son, and he went to prison. Over time, the parents of the son who was killed went to visit the young man who had committed the crime. A relationship was developed as a result of these visits, and eventually the inmate was obedient to the gospel message. Who would have ever guessed that something so tragic could have such a great outcome?
Jesus took a man in a difficult situation and turned it into something to give God the glory. The disciples thought the man was blind because either he or his parents had sinned. They were simply falling victim to the old theory called the doctrine of retribution (or double retribution). People who believed in this assumed that if you did something good you were always rewarded, but if you did something bad you were always punished. Therefore in the case of the man born blind, they just knew that either he sinned or his parents did.
Jesus took this time to correct them as he let them know that it was neither, but that the glory of God would be displayed (3). He was going to use something bad and turn it into something great!
God can do great things even in bad situations. People lose their jobs. Sometimes there are greater opportunities that present themselves and the people soon forget about the hard times they had coping with that loss because they are now in a better situation. People lose their health, lives, children, etc., but so many times we can see something great appear when it looks like impending doom has moved in next door! Consider Paul in Philippians 1:12. He states "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." Wow; Paul was in prison, yet he was still saying that something great happened because of it. That is remarkable, and we can see that God can do great things during bad situations.
Opportunities are available for a limited time
There is a show on television called Wipeout where contestants go through a series of obstacle courses for a chance to win $50,000. On many of the obstacles there are moving pieces to avoid, or else you wind up getting knocked off into the water below. This is a game of timing where you have a limited window of opportunity. If you wait too late, then it may cost you in the competition. If you make it to the wipeout zone in the end, you are competing against the time of the other two contestants. If you fail to complete it before they do, you lose. You have the opportunity to finish the course until the buzzer sounds.
Jesus explained to the disciples that he was working until his time was up. He states that you work during the day, but the night is coming when you can't work. Jesus was talking about working for the Father. Consider what was looming just ahead for Christ. He would be betrayed by one of his own, sentenced, scourged and crucified. He only had a limited time to get done what needed to be done, and He knew that.
Opportunities do come with expectations and limitations. Paul recognized when an opportunity was available and noted that it was a priority in 1 Cor. 16:7-9 when he talked about "a wide door of effective work." He also prayed for an opportunity, that God would open a door in Col. 4:3. He knew about opportunities and how they needed to be acted upon. However, there is scene in Mt. 25 with which we are all too familiar that teaches of the importance of acting on these opportunities. In verses 31-46 this scene of the judgment shows the reward for acting on our opportunities versus the punishment for neglecting them. It should be a reminder to all of us that the time to act on our opportunities is now while we are still alive. When we're standing before the judgment seat of our Lord, it will be too late.
Christ truly was the light of the world
You've heard stories of people who have had their sight restored. None may be more fascinating than that of Martin Jones (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197256/Blind-man-sees-wife-time-having-TOOTH-implanted-eye.html) . He had lost his eyesight in an accident at work, and had been blind for twelve years. He had been married for four years when he underwent a revolutionary procedure. He found a doctor who would take one of his teeth and create a way for him to see. To make a long story short, the first thing he saw was his wife, whom he had never seen. What a great day that must have been for him as the light from the world was now visible to him again.
Just as Martin Jones saw his wife for the first time, Jesus restored the sight to the blind man so he could see for the first time. He told his disciples, "I am the light of the world" (5). He used mud and saliva to anoint the man's eyes and commanded him to go wash in the pool of Siloam (7). One of the great aspects of this story is that he did exactly as Christ commanded him. The man was now out of the darkness as he had been exposed to the light of Christ.
There are people who walk around in darkness because they don't have Christ as their light. John opens his gospel talking about how Christ was the true light that came into the world, and he came to his own people, yet they did not receive him (Jn. 1:9-10). He even states in his first letter the importance of walking in the light and staying away from the darkness (1 Jn. 1:5-7).
A co-worker of mine once walked into the door frame as she was trying to head towards the restroom in the middle of the night because she couldn't see. Are you walking around in the darkness? Christ is the light of the world who has the power to overcome the darkness.

Article from Randy Fox

Hey everyone,

I just finished reading an article from a brother in Christ named Randy Fox. He is a friend of mine with the Columbia Fire Department. He sent me this article after me speaking at the Main Street congregation in Mount Pleasant Wednesday night. I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you.

Lightship Chesapeake

In the fall of 1962, the Lightship Chesapeake and her crew of 16 was struck by the full force of an Atlantic hurricane. Other vessels could run for cover, as the storm rose, but Chesapeake had to stay at her station, marking the approaches to the Chesapeake Bay as she had done since 1933. The 1000-watt lamp at her masthead was a sign for life for other ships, and the safety of others came first.

The storm hit. In a heavy sea, a huge wave broke over Chesapeake’s 20 foot high bow, carried away her foredeck fittings, damaged her steel pilot house and swept both of her life boats away. The ship’s anchor rode 1000 feet of 1 ½ inch thick cast iron chain - snapped and her main 7500-pound mushroom anchor was lost. Badly damaged and drifting from her station, Chesapeake made for the Norfolk Virginia base. The emergency repairs were made and within 24 hours she was back at her station guiding wayward ships to the safety of the Chesapeake Bay.

How can we learn from the Chesapeake and apply this to our Christian life? Well first lets look at the Chesapeake as a source of light. Isaiah 59:9 states “we wait for light”. This is what the wayfaring ships at sea were relying on, the light from the Chesapeake to guide them safely to the harbor. This light is also the light we as Christians must also provide to those of the world, we must shine during the storms of this life Isaiah 60:1 tells us “Arise, shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” When we put on Christ in our lives we must shine for him,
John 8:12 which states “ I am the light of the world: He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Matt 5:16 “ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” This is not only a scripture for us to read but a commandment of Jesus. We are to provide this light to those around about us to lead them safely home and at the same time we are giving praise to our Father. Second is the Chesapeake’s commitment, she knew that staying at sea during the hurricane was her duty and she accepted it. But when the damage was done she left her post. A lot of times Christians are damaged and they never return to their post they get into a rut much like the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake did not let herself stay in the rut she made for the base, had the repairs and went back to work. But we allow ourselves sometime to think only of our own problems; we need to get back to the business Jesus commands us to carry out. If we put him first in our lives He will provide for us. When we get knock down we need to get back up. Next lets look at how long the light was shining from the Chesapeake, for 24 hours she was away from her post. During this time how many wayward ships were searching for the bay? The Chesapeake did return but not like Jesus will. Jesus is coming to gather his own. Jesus tells us in John 13:35 “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” Jesus extends his call and shines forth his light, but we must use it while it is here, we are not promise the next breath. Does your light shine like the Light Ship Chesapeake? Randy Fox