This writing is filled with rich images and profound truths, but john notes that his aim in writing the gospel is that readers will not only believe in jesus christ, but that they may have life in his name. Here are the seven metaphorical i am statements found in johns gospel. John light has 21 books on goodreads with 346 ratings. John bible book with full chapters king james version. The light of the world, by elizabeth alexander the new. Seven i am statements of jesus in the book of john and. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. In her new book, the light of the world, alexander a professor of poetry at yale, who is probably best known for reading her poem praise song for the day at president obamas. What did jesus mean when he said, i am the light of the. He declares himself to be the light, and appeals to the witness of the father and of himself john 8. Its no surprise that judass big betrayal happens at night.
Adam hamilton tackles the tricky subject of the gospel of john in his new book john. Jesus, as the bread of life, offers each of us life everlasting. What did jesus mean when he said, i am the light of the world. In this chapter, jesus establishes a pattern that continues through johns gospeljesus makes a statement about who he is, and he backs it up with something he does. These include his citation of jesuss seven i am statements, in which jesus spoke of himself in terms such as the light of the world 8. I am a huge john ellsworth fan, preordered this book at the first opportunity, and also had the opportunity to read an advance copy. When jesus spoke again to the people, he said, i am the light of the world. The passage begins in verse 12 with jesus saying, i am the light of the world. In this short, pithy and powerful book, john piper brings biblical wisdom, practical insight and a pastors passion to the subject, and shows how living in the light will eclipse all the idols this world has to offer and put money, sex and power in their rightful, godglorifying place. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Written by a christian named john, the contents of the book indicate quite clearly that the author was not the john who was one of the twelve disciples of jesus, for it contains no direct personal references of the type that one would expect from an intimate. It wouldnt quite be the same if the sun was shining down, illuminating the evil. After this comes the proclamation that this jesus is the son of god sent from the father to finish the fathers work in the world see 4. Jesus said to him, i am the way, the truth, and the life.
Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The word made fleshthe miraculous signs of jesusthe i am sayings of jesusthe farewell. If youve ever read the new testament, you can tell that john is a totally different beast from the synoptic gospels of matthew, mark, and luke.
We read and studied this gospel throughout the month and came together during tgif to share our thoughts and lessons learnt. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if god were not with him. Again jesus spoke to them, saying, i am the light of the world. For i am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of god that brings salvation to everyone who believes romans 1. It is written anonymously, although it identifies an unnamed disciple whom jesus loved as the source of its. If light in the gospel of john can show off whats true and good, darkness usually means something shady is happening. Book of john overview insight for living ministries. What are the seven i am statements in the gospel of john. Light of the world is a phrase jesus used to describe himself and his disciples in the new.
Each and every one of us has different pictures, or images, of jesus and how he moves in. The allegory used by the lord in this verse speaks of the light of his truth, the light of his word, the light of eternal life. There is another i am statement in the book of revelation, but. John 1 niv bible in the beginning was the word, and. In a nearly childlike simple language with a vocabulary of only around 700 words john communicates to us the exalted truth that the word, the.
I looked up book of john and halfway down the first chapter i saw philip. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will. I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life. Omitting the inserted section, this verse immediately follows john 7.
John used a variety of techniques to communicate to his readers the nature of jesus. Last month, the study topic for the fellowship was the book of john. Light and darkness in johns gospel is an antithesis that has symbolic meaning and is essential. John begins with the profound announcement that jesus is the in the beginning creative word of god who had become embodied incarnated as a human being to be the light of life for the world. We find the title son 29 times in johns gospel, whereof 10 times son of god.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in. The following is a short study of all the uses of the word light in the gospel of john. John with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Then spake jesus again unto them, saying, i am the light of the world. When jesus saids said i am the light of the world what did he. John 3 new international version niv jesus teaches nicodemus. The gospel of light and life john series hamilton, adam on.
John has a clear purpose statement as revealed in john 20. The gospel of john is the latestwritten of the four biographies of jesus that have been preserved in the new testament. The gospel of john is the most deeply spiritual of the four gospels. The secret book of john is a complex developmental mythology that has been made more complicated because, over the years, versions of it have been improved by several levels of scribal alteration. I am the light of the world sermon by kevin ruffcorn, john. John 8, new international version niv the bible app. We learn from the beginning of the book of genesis and johns gospel that jesus was present, and that he is the word. This is the second devotional on the i am series of statements of christ found in johns gospel. I am the light of the world again jesus spoke to them, saying, i am the light of the world. Since the statement is not before abraham was i was, it is easy for some moderns reading through certain metaphysical assumptions to conclude that this is a statement of the atemporality of god. The book went through two to three stages, or editions, before reaching its current form, at the latest, around ad 80100. The seven i ams of jesus what christians want to know. John chapter 8 kjv king james version it is impossible to understand that jesus proceeded and came forth from god, for it is a matter of faith. I am the light bulletin features one of christs many i am statements with scripture.
This lent, join adam hamilton and experience a season of spiritual growth and lifechanging renewal while exploring the major themes of john. Seven i am statements of jesus book of john and the i am statement of revelation. Since the gospel of john and the epistles of john are interconnected, understanding light in the gospel will shed important light upon the meaning of light in the epistles. J esus said i am the light of the world, and several other i am statements. And this is just what john is pointing to in john 1. Light of the world then jesus spoke to them again, saying, i am the light of the world. Seven times in the gospel of john, jesus makes a powerful statement. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. Recently i taught my adult sunday school class and did an overview of the book of john.
The bible book of john with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study. The gospel of john is the only gospel that contains all seven of jesus i am statements, and each one is significant and had special meaning which only the jews could understand. Along with hamiltons comments, this book includes the entire text of the gospel of john ceb, divided into six parts for ease of reading and study. This statement of johns is a good description of the subject and purpose of his gospel. When i am in the world, i am the light of the world. It was the longest tgif yet and it was very interesting.
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