The setting and timing of “the Feast of Tabernacles,” also known as the Feast of Booths, sets the pace for us in this passage. The celebration, also known as Ingathering or simply “the Feast,” is rooted in history. It’s representative of the moment when the children of Israel are led from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Feast lasted seven days and came at the end of the year.
Each morning just before dawn the priests would go to the eastern gate of the temple and as the sun rose they would turn toward the temple reciting sacred words (Ezek. 8:16). Then they would draw water at the pool of Siloam for the day. That evening large lamps were lit that were located between the Court of the Women and the Court of the Gentiles. Music and dance would commence to celebrate the moment when God led them out of bondage to freedom, as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21).
You know, it’s important we never forget where we come from. We are told the brightness of the golden lamps literally illuminated Jerusalem. It’s at that moment when our Lord steps forth and declares with authority, “I Am.”
Those two words take us back to that moment when Moses, somewhat fearful and hesitant, is being sent to Pharaoh to demand the release of God’s children. Moses asked reluctantly, “By what authority do I make this demand?” and “Who will I say sent me?” God tells him, “I Am” sent you (Ex. 3:13–14). J. Wash Watts defined it this way, “I Am what I Am, Who I always have been and always will be, I Am.” Jesus, the Great “I Am,” has the authority sent by the Father.
Moment of creation
In the brilliance of the light of this moment, Jesus declares, “I am the Light” (John 8:12); not a light but the Light. I think of that moment at creation, the earth without form, darkness on the face of the deep and God said, “Let there be light” there was and is to this day and then He said, “That’s good” (Gen. 1:1–5).
Earlier in John’s Gospel, which was written to a lost world, John writes, “In Him was life and that life was the light of men; the light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:4–5). Literally “darkness could not suppress the light” or as another said, “The light chases away the darkness.”
Lord knows we need more light today. This darkness led by the Prince of Darkness can no longer be ignored. As the old spiritual reminds us, “Children, there’s a dark cloud rising.” It’s dark outside. “How dark is it,” you ask?
Precious life
Life in the womb is not sacred and we’ve reached the uncivilized point where life outside the womb is no longer precious. Now an epidemic has overtaken us to such despair that some have reached the point where they consider life no longer worth living. It’s dark outside.
Our Judeo-Christian values are not simply scoffed at but we now reside in an era where those values are abhorred, an era where our brothers and sisters in distant lands are not just persecuted but martyred for their faith. It’s dark outside.
Isaiah told us this day would come. A day where evil would be called good and vice versa and darkness would be called light (Isa. 5:20). The darkness that floods our land and souls today doesn’t need a light but the Light. No wonder the psalmist David declared, “The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?” (Ps. 27:1).
Friends it is the Light that will guide us through this darkness and the danger we face in this journey called life. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105).
“Whoever follows Me need never walk in darkness, but he will enjoy the light that means life” (John 8:12). As we reflect upon this word from God — the history of the moment, the authority, the light — it is that phrase, “Whoever follows Me” that should enlighten us today. It speaks of a life given wholly to the One who gave His all for us. It is both an uncompromising expectation and a timely promise — for one to commit him- or herself without wavering to the example and calling of our Lord.
I remember hearing Ray Robbins say years ago that the essence of the Christian life is “a human life lived in openness to the living God” and “The more of your life you open to God the more of the life of God comes within you and the more like Him you become.” The more we allow His light within us the more light we have to chase away the darkness. It’s a promise from God Himself through His Son — we don’t have to walk in darkness. When our Lord stood in the midst of “the Feast” it’s a symbol of how the Hand of God was leading His people to the Promised Land. He said, “I am the Light.” Not a light but the Light, not a way but the Way, not a truth but the Truth. He’s telling us it’s going to be alright. I’ve got this, you can trust Me.
Therefore having seen the Light we don’t have to be afraid of the dark anymore, we’re going to make it to the Promised Land. Like the children of Israel we find ourselves between Egypt and the Promised Land but the Light has come and He will guide us through these dark and dangerous days.
Shine the Light
I love the story Timothy George tells of a personal experience with George Taylor, a pastor in New York City. Taylor told about preaching in Louisiana during those early Depression years.
He served an African-American church during both difficult and trying times. A single small light bulb was the only light in the small sanctuary. The power failed and there was total darkness way out in the rural area. Taylor, a young preacher at the time, struggled to know what to do. An old deacon shouted from the back, “Preach on, preacher. We can still see Jesus in the dark.”
Isaiah tells us, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them the light has shined” (Isa. 9:2). As the hymn reminds us, “Shine, Jesus, Shine.”
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