Connect Psalm 118:27 to Jesus as the light in John 8:12. Psalm 118:27 – Light on the Altar “ ‘The LORD is God, and He has made His light shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.’ ” • The psalm celebrates deliverance and worship in the temple, climaxing with light radiating from the LORD Himself. • “Festal sacrifice” points to an offering that secures fellowship; the worshipers literally bind the victim to the altar. • Light and sacrifice appear together, hinting that God’s saving illumination comes through an offered life. John 8:12 – Jesus, the Light of the World “ ‘Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ” • Spoken in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles, when giant lampstands blazed each night. • Jesus claims to be the very radiance those lamps only symbolized. • He identifies Himself as the exclusive, universal source of spiritual light and life. Prophetic Echoes between the Texts • Same Source – Psalm: “The LORD is God … His light.” – John: Jesus openly claims that divine identity. • Same Illumination – Psalm: Light shines “upon us.” – John: Light shines on “the world.” • Same Salvation Pattern – Psalm: Light is linked to a sacrifice bound to the altar. – Gospels: Jesus, the Light, is later bound to the cross (John 19:16-18). • Same Result – Psalm: Worshipers approach God rejoicing (vv. 24-26). – John: Followers “will never walk in the darkness.” Supporting Scriptures • Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” • Isaiah 42:6 – Servant given as “a light for the nations.” • Malachi 4:2 – “Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” • John 1:4-5, 9 – Life in Him was “the light of men.” • 2 Corinthians 4:6 – God shines “in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” • Revelation 21:23 – The Lamb is the lamp of the eternal city. Living in the Light Today • Trust Jesus as the true Light and final Sacrifice; no other source dispels spiritual darkness (Acts 4:12). • Walk in His illumination—obeying His word keeps us from stumbling (Psalm 119:105; 1 John 1:7). • Reflect His light to others; we are called “children of light” sent into a dark world (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15). |
    |