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The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Perpetual Light

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The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Perpetual Light
Lord your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, in Jesus’ name.
Isaiah 60: 1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come. And the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” The light referring to the Messiah.
Jesus said that he was ‘the light of the world’ the light that was there before the creation of the sun, moon and stars.
In John Goldengay’s study book of ‘Isaiah’ Genesis 1: 3-5, 14. We read on the first day of creation, “God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” John points out that from the first day the light continued until the fourth day. On the fourth day God created the sun, moon and stars as signs of seasons, days and years.
So Jesus the light of the world was there before the creation of the sun, moon and stars. I found this re-assuring when I thought of Jesus’ return, “Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” Matthew 24: 29, 30.
It won’t be complete darkness there will be the light, the light that was there before the creation of the sun, moon and stars.

We read of the continual light in the tent tabernacle
Exodus 27: 20, 21. Moses was instructed to burn pure olive oil in the lamp for the light, It was to burn continually and it was placed in the Holy place in the area where the priests worked and it was tended by them morning and evening.
The priests were dependent on the light from the lamp as there was no other source of light in the holy place. Exodus 25: 31-40
Visual Aids.   Candle and Menorah Candlestick.

C. W. Slemming “Made According to the Pattern.”He points out the difference between a candle and the lamp:
“Candles give light at the consumption of themselves, (and its light only lasts the life time of the candle.   Like a person without Christ in their life.)             
The lamp that made the light only bore it. The light was resultant from the pure oil that was constantly being put within it.”
Below: Menorah Candlestick and theCandlestick the symbol of Jesus being the light of the world.

The centre shaft was called ‘the servant’ or attendant. It held three branches on either side, seven lamps in total.

The lamp represents Christ:its branches, the Christian, we are dependent upon Jesus, continually topping us up by his word and Spirit.
Jesus said that he was ‘the light of the world’ and he came as one who served and gave his life for many. 
 
Jesus ‘risen body containing the continuous, perpetual light.
God said that he had prepared a body in Jesus. In chapter 10 of Hebrews. “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body thou hast prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. Then he said, ‘I have come to do thy will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of thy book’”
“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh and since we have a great high priest over the house of God.” Hebrews 10: 5-7, 19-21
In coming to do God’s will Jesus abolishedMoses’ covenant with its rituals and sacrifices by fulfilling them through laying down his life, his flesh and blood for the final atonement for sin,
In the cotton factories the machinery became obsolete like the law given to Moses by God and  the obsolete machines were replaced by computerised machines. Under grace the law written in the heart through faith in Jesus.
 “When (Christian) Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Romans 2: 4-16                                                
Also as he high priest of God he offered the sacrifice of himself to his Father God for sin before establishing a new living covenant in himself, the temple of his body, the church.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” 
Matthew 5: 14-16 as I see it Jesus pointed to Isaiah’s prophecy “You are the light of the world.(Israel) A city set on a hill cannot be hid. (Jerusalem) Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.”(All the nations will come to the city bringing gifts)
Mark 16: 9-16. The disciples’ were the light to the world, but on the evening of the day of Jesus’ resurrection their light was hidden when they heard from Mary Magdalene that Jesus had been raised from the dead, they didn’t believe her, they were mourning Jesus’ death with heavy hearts and minds.
This reminded me of Holman Hunt the renowned 19th Century artist who had declined religious commissions on the ground that he didn’t believe in Jesus.
However, Holman Hunt’s vision of Jesus, which he painted ‘The Light of the World’ Revelation 3: 20. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

But I also see his painting describing the scene on the evening of Jesus resurrection when Jesus came and stood among them in the house at Jerusalem.

The weeds surrounding the door reminded me of the disciple’s unbelief, they had shut the door to believing in his resurrection. We don’t read of Jesus knocking on the door of the house where they were gathered, but after he came and stood among them they believed. He asked for some food and they gave him grilled fish which he ate. Holman said, that he wanted to convey through his painting the substance of Jesus that he wasn’t a vapour, a spirit.
Holman Hunt fulfilled the great commission his painting went on display around the country and the British Empire.
Another thought from this Holman expressed his vision through painting it. Someone made the canvas, the brushes and the paints he used, so is the church is a picture in the process of being painted and we are part of it.
A part of Isaiah’s prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled 
When Jesus returns to Jerusalem the city will be at the centre of the world, a city that will not be hidden, continuous light, where the King of Kings will sit on King David’s throne.
Nations will come and bring their gifts and the Jewish people will be revered, from them the Saviour has come, they will be recognised and be loved by all the people of the world. Revelation 21: 22-26. Isaiah 60: 11, 14.


Jesus was in the beginning: the light in creation to the eternal light of the New Jerusalem. 

On the left model of the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21: 9-27
Each entrance was through a gate of pearl and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The wall was made of jasper, the foundations were decorated with gems stones. The street of the city was of pure gold. 
(Model. Play dough walls coloured beads and boxes sprayed with gold 2007)___________________________

Jesus came to fulfil the laws and the prophets (Matthew 5: 17 in his life and body.)
Menorah Candlestick.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” the lamp stood in the holy place. John 8: 12.
Feast of Tabernacles the whole temple filled with light, Hanukah Festival of Lights,(9 lights) It celebrates the oil that should have only lasted for one day lasted 8 days. 
The oil for the lamp. Jesus said, “My words are Spirit and life.” Reference to the Holy Spirit,John 6: 63.  The Holy Spirit was poured out, to give light to the church and continues to be poured out.  Revelation 1: 20.
Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty let them come to me and drink,” The Holy Spirit river of life flowing out from the temple. The early and latter day rain. John 7: 37-39.
Ark of the Covenant. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This the great and first commandment and a second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” The tablets of stone the laws given to Moses  Three types: Moral, civil and ceremonial law. Moses’ law written in Jesus heart. Matthew 22: 37, 38.
Altar. Jesus said, ”For this is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out fror many for the forgiveness of sins..” The blood of sacrifice for sin. Leviticus 17: 14 Matthew 26: 28. The Day of Atonement. The blood sprinkled on the front of the mercy seat between the cherubim on the lid of the ark.Exodus 25: 22 Leviticus 16: 14
Table of the Shrewbread. Jesus said, “I am the bread of Life” the living word, the 12 cakes/loaves baked by the priests every day. John 6: 35. Exodus 25: 30.
Manna – Jesus laid down his life, his flesh to give life.”Take eat this is my body.” Matthew 26: 26. Jesus ended kosher foods. Mark 7: 19. Acts 10: 12-16.
Unleavened bread –  Jesus’ body and blood sinless Acts 2: 27. Psalm 16: 8-11.
Altar of Incense. Jesus the intercessor and mediator between God and mankind. The great high priest over the house of God. Hebrews 7: 25.
The laver. “We are washed by the water of his word.” Ephesians 5: 26.
The Veil. The veil of his flesh, the curtain that hung between the holy place and the holly of holies. Matthew 27: 26, 51.
The Vine. Alfred Edersheim in his book “The Temple” wrote that a huge vine standing the height of a man was in the temple. Jesus said, “I am the true vine” Israel the vine planted in the promised land. Psalm 80: 8 .John 15: 1
Pentecost Feast of the First Fruits.Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat fall into the earth and dies, it remains alone but if it dies it bears much fruit.”  John 12: 24.
The priestly garments. The fine linen, the white robe of righteousness  Revelation 1: 13. 19: 8.
These and many more all fulfilled in Jesus.
Faith and Grace.
Jesus enlightened his disciples his Father’s words and doing the works he saw his Father doing, and he came among us as one who served. Jesus’ light we are dependent upon to reveal God our Father’s love, word and actions. 
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The Messiah’s Secret – The Lighthouse

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The Messiah’s Secret – The Lighthouse

      We heard from two children as to why we have lighthouses: to stop ships from going onto rocks and people getting hurt and from an adult his local knowledge of the lighthouses in Sunderland where they were so important to the shipping. The shipping lanes are busy and the lighthouses navigated the ships safely into the harbour.        
Jesus is the light of the world. In the scene at his transfiguration  I saw Jesus like a lighthouse, his light  showing the way to find God, for people to navigate their way into the Kingdom of God.
A lighthouse is a tower or other type of structure that emits light from a system of lamps and lenses used for shipping to navigate dangerous coastlines and safe entries to harbours.
There are 64 working lighthouses in UK
John Smeaton in 1756 designed his lighthouse modelled on an oak tree, using granite stone blocks; he secured the blocks together using dove tail joints with marble dowels and developed lime mortar that set under water.
Picture of dovetail construction:
Years ago every lighthouse had a lighthouse keeper who kept the light operating saving many thousands of lives.
The Church is God’s lighthouse
The light the Good News about Jesus reaches out to save people from their lives being shipwrecked by the darkness.
The stones each one shaped to fit together and the cement that went between each stone reminds me of Jesus body the church. The Holy Spirit’s ministry shaping our lives acting on the word and the blood of Jesus running through the veins of his body the church giving life.
 The reflectors behind the light also had a magnifier which speaks of the light of the Church  being magnified by the number of Christians in the world. 

2 Corinthians 4: 3-6. Mark 9: 2-9

John Smeaton designed the shape of the tower so that it tapered as it grew in height, this allowed the waves to dissipate on impact with the walls. This construction was very strong and could withstand high winds a powerful waves. Christ’s church is so constructed that the principalities and powers can not destroy it.

Every Lighthouse had a lighthouse keeper who kept the light operating. It was an important job and probably a lonely one. Nowadays, solar power is used to keep the light shining. Lighthouses has saved thousands of lives.

In our Gospel reading of the transfiguration Jesus stood with Moses and Elijah his appearance was described as dazzling. Matthew in his account of Transfiguration wrote that Jesus’ face shone. In Luke’s account the three disciples John, James and Peter, described Moses and Elijah as being seen in the glory of the Lord, Jesus’ glory was reflected on them.

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians Chapter 3 verse 13 God’s glory was reflected on Moses, so much so that the people could not look at him so he had to put a veil over his face. Paul used this image of the veil, to get across his message that the law was veiled, the veil was removed by Jesus. Through the law every person could not have a personal relationship with God.                

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4: 5, “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ, who is the likeness of God. For it is the God who said, “ Let the light shine out of darkness,” The light Jesus’ presence  shining out of the darkness of the world. v 6Jesus, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 
After we heard or read about Jesus and asked him into our heart, his presence was realised, so all that we can do is to thank the Lord for bringing us from the darkness of this world into his marvellous light.
All of us personally are shining in the reflected light of his glory.
The light of God’s love is seen in a Christians eyes, the eye being the window of our soul. Also on rare occasions seeing Christ’s glory shining out from the whole face of a Christian.

Added afterwards (I’ve seen in five people Christ’s glory shining out from them: a young man sitting at a table I asked him what he was reading he said he was reading his Bible his face shone, a lady came to my market stall as soon as she witnessed her faith, her face literally lit up. Across a well lit room I saw a man with a halo around his head and the word love in the halo and Jim Wilkinson preaching at a Holly Bush meeting his face shining.)                                                                                          
2 Corinthians 3: 18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”                                    

The lighthouse conveys a message. 
It’s light gives warning that there are rocks near the surface, a danger to shipping. The beam of light can be seen across the sea for over twenty miles.


There is an old story of a lighthouse keeper who received his new supply of oil once a month to keep the light burning. Not being far from the shore, one night a woman came begged him for some oil to keep her family warm, another needed some oil for his lamp, another to lubricate a wheel. The lighthouse keeper tried to please everyone and gave them the oil. Towards the end of the month his oil was very low, soon it was gone and the light went out. 
That night several ships were wrecked and lives were lost. When the authorities investigated, to his excuses and pleading their reply was, “You were given the oil for one purpose to keep the light burning.”
The people in the story had problems : the woman needed oil to keep her family warm etc The Corinthian Church had problems and its light was in danger of going out.
Christian Jews were trying to enforce Judaism on to Gentile believers. Paul’s had taught that the wall or veil of division between Jew and Gentile had been removed. Paul’s teaching created opposition against him.                                                                                                    
And in our reading verse 4 the gospel was also veiled due to some of its members compromising the word of God by continuing to follow the god of this world, Regardless of Paul’s letter some were continuing to practice their former pagan lifestyles and taking each other to court

Jesus spoke of his followers being salt and light. 
Salt disinfects, purifies – light  searches the heart.

 Paul’s first letter his words were seasoned with salt and light. 1 Corinthians 13: 1, 2. Paul told them that they had shown no love. Paul’s first letter was taken by Timothy to the Corinthian church, but it was to no avail, even after Paul had been to Corinth to sort out the church he had failed. In my Bible concordance it reads: “Paul made a visit to Corinth hoping to settle the controversy; he met with defeat. Paul sent a third letter in stern and severe terms to Corinth by Titus.”( this third letter must have been written before 2 Corinthians)                                                                     

In our recent study of Titus on Tuesday, we found that Titus’ delivered Paul’s letter and stayed with the church at Corinth, he was salt and light by helping them to sort out their problems subsequently he reported back to Paul the good news that the church had repented and acknowledged Paul’s teaching. 2 Corinthians 7: 6-16. 8: 23.
Today we are called to be salt and light in the world: to think before we speak and to coin a phrase that Duncan uses, “What would Jesus say?” We are to walk in the light of the gospel, the gospel having the power to illuminate the darkest of places and the grace to restore, to bring Christ’s healing touch.  
Jesus the lighthouse has saved millions of peoples lives from the death of eternal darkness, navigating them into the kingdom of God.

God our Father and all heaven rejoices is to see Jesus’ glory, his light dwelling in our hearts through faith in him and for us to see Jesus in each other, his reflected glory. Amen.

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The Messiah’s Secret – ‘Gideon’ Christ in You Part 5

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Evening Service Following the Lectionary Judges 7: 2-22. John 15: 9-17

Gideon the descendant of Abraham through Jacob, his son Joseph, his son Manasseh. Joshua 17: 1,2
The Midianites were descendants of Abraham by his concubine Kerturah, Abraham was a descendant of Shem the son of Noah.
The Amalekites were mentioned in the war of the Kings Genesis 14: 7 their land being Hazazontamar. The location given in 2 Chronicles 20: 2 as being Engedi which is on the West side of the Dead Sea. In Genesis 36: 12 Amalek was the descendants of Esau who took his wives from the Canaanites. Esau the son of Isaac the son of Abraham. Esau’s twin brother Jacob received the blessing from Isaac so the promise of the inheriting the land of Canaan came down his line.

The land of Canaan was cursed by Canaan’s grandfather Noah for seeing him naked, “Canaan would be a slave to his brothers.” Genesis 9:25 (see blog Lord of the Dance)

Since that time there has been controversy over the land of Canaan.
After the Israelites 2nd revolt against the Romans in AD 135 the Romans renamed the land from the ‘Provincia of Judaea’ to the ‘Provincia of Syria Palaestinia.’ This name was in association with the Philistines the descendants of Casluhim the ancestor of Egypt the son of Noah. Unger’s Bible Dictionary page 821

When Jesus died on the cross he bore all the curses put on the land through the fall of Adam and for all generations since inheriting Adam’s sin. Jesus has redeemed the land, the crown of thorns signifies this.

Gideon
In Judges Chapter 6 we read that the Midianites had prevailed over the Israelites and as a result they made their lives unbearable by destroying the produce of the land and stealing their animals. The Israelites made shelters and lived in caves in the mountains.

Gideon was afraid of being seen by the Midianites and the Amalekites so he hid and threshed his wheat in a wine press to keep it from them. Gideon was very insecure, he felt weak and oppressed by his circumstances that I feel had its effect on his faith in God.
A wine press below ground

Whilst Gideon was threshing his wheat, God sent an angel to speak to him telling him how gallant he was and to go and deliver the Israelites from the Midianites and Amalekites. Gideon was very wary of the angel’s message he had assumed that God had abandoned Israel because of their idolatry and that was why the Midianites were persecuting them. Judges 6: 10 Some Israelites had built altars to worship Baal including Gideon’s father.

After further discussion with the angel Gideon wanted a sign from God. He prepared the offerings of a kid and some barley bread and placed them on a rock. The angel touched them with his staff and fire came from the rock and consumed the offering. Gideon now believed that the angel was from God.

Trumpet call on Gideon’s life.
Gideon’s first reaction to God’s call on his life was to resist open confrontation with his father and the Midianites saying that he was too weak and fearful also he had a fear of dying at the hands of the Midianites. After this encounter with the angel, God gave him assurance. The angel said to him, “Peace be to you. You will not die.”
The Lord gave Gideon a word to dismantle his father’s altar to the worship of Baal and saw up the Asherah pole. He then was to take the wood and build an altar and with his father’s bulls make offerings to God. He was afraid to do it by day so with the help of ten men they accomplished their task during the night. Next day when the people saw what had been done they accused Gideon. The Midianites and Amalekites joined forces and made camp in the valley of Jezreel.

The Holy Spirit took possession of Gideon. (verse 34)
Below Wood Carving by Dorothy Newton

Gideon sounded the trumpet, summoning his fellow Israelites to join him in battle, this action by took great courage. The rallying call of the trumpet brought several of the tribes together in support of Gideon.
God’s trumpet call on Gideon’s life broke down the walls of the wine press of the oppression of the Midianites.

In God’s eyes Gideon’s strength was in his weakness.
Gideon was still insecure, he put out a fleece to be assured of victory over the Midianites and Amalekites. If the fleece had dew on it in the morning and the ground around it was dry then they would have the victory and it was so. He then asked God to reverse the process and it was so. God gave him that assurance that he needed.

God broke through Gideon’s weakness of insecurity by reducing the numbers of men who would help him get the victory.

God suggested to Gideon that he should give the people who were afraid to go into battle to return to their homes. 22,000 went home, only 10,000 remained.
God again suggested that the men who lapped out of cupped hands should go into battle against the Midianites and Amalekites. The number of men was 300, these men were then equipped with trumpets and torches in jars.

Gideon was like the light and the fire encased in the jars that were carried by his men. He had the Lord upholding working alongside of him, yet he felt insecure.
The shattering of these jars was like Gideon being released from fear and of his insecurity.

The Lord was with him.
Gideon had a word from the Lord to go down to the Midian camp and listen. If he was afraid he should take with him Purah. They came to the camp were they overheard a conversation between two Midianites. One sharing with the other his dream, and no doubt to Gideon’s amazement the other interpreted the dream.
“Behold I dreamed a dream, and lo, a cake of barley bread tumbles down into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and lay flat. And the comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; into his hand God has given Midian and all the host.” Judges 7: 13, 14.
Hearing this, Gideon knew that the victory over the Midianites and the Amalekites was his. He divided his men into three groups of a hundred men and then he told them to surround the Midian camp. At his signal they were to blow their trumpets and break the jars and shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon.” As they carried this out the Midianite armies fled. We read how Joshua brought down the walls of Jericho with a blast on the trumpets and the shouts of the people.

Let your light shine before men so that they might see your good works.
Part of loving one another is in having respect for each other. The people who became Judges over Israel were respected for their wisdom, courage and love for God.

God’s trumpet call on our lives.
The Holy Spirit shows us Jesus and that all that is written about him is true, he died on a cross and God the Father raised him from the dead and through faith in him we receive forgiveness of sin and the causes of sin. When we come to faith in Christ the transformation is amazing: we know God as our Father and that we have overcome the fear of death and have entered into eternal life.

Within a short time we may find that all that we have received is some how encased within us, like the light and fire of the torch encased in the jar.
The fears that Gideon had we can relate to: fear of combating the unbelief of others in making Christ known.
Maybe we are fearful of not being able to express our faith.
Fear of being excluded from the company of our friends because we are Christians.
Fear of the unknown or change
The fear of commitment of losing control of our lives,
Fear of giving up what we enjoy.
These and other fears are the strength of our soul or ‘the me’ within. These strengths or fears dominate over the Spirit of the Lord, encasing and controlling our walk in Christ.

To break the strength of our soul like Gideon the Lord will take our weaknesses and call us to work in our weakness. We will say to the Lord,’ I can’t do it;’ I don’t want to do it.’ We will try and hide from the Lord our God.
I can testify to this when we moved to Haslingden my hobby was wood carving. I enjoyed working with wood. When the thoughts came to start a pottery business for my church I was very sceptical because I did not think that Churches had businesses and I was not interested in working with clay. But the thoughts persisted and I went to night school to learn to the skill, but I had no flare for it. Continue in ‘my Story.’

For you it might be to work alongside people with drug problems or to witness your faith to a friend or write poetry etc. The Lord will take us out of our comfort zone and that is a hard thing to do.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4: 13. Romans 16: 25
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly then all we ask or think.” Ephesians 3: 20, 21.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8: 10

The Lord using our weaknesses means that we turn to the Lord to be dependant upon him, Jesus will strengthen us and as a result the joy of the Lord fills our hearts as we are working out the Lord’s will and our salvation.

Update October 2012. Over the summer the Lord has sent several people from an ex-offenders centre to our morning services. We are all rejoicing as they are coming to know Jesus as their Saviour, redeemer and friend.

God is Love (Dorothy Newton January 1995 A Child-like love)
Love participates in unity bending the will to love another.
Love doesn’t hide itself or shy away.
Love takes hold of the prickly thorn and caresses it.
Love picks up the bruised heart and cherishes it and makes it, it’s own.
Love gives off radiance like the heat of a summers’ day.
Love its fragrance enriches unity, time stands still
Love has a strength all of its own.
Love gives in to love.
Love is a safe place without any walls, no barriers of fear and wars.
Love prepares to serve all human weaknesses.
Love bears the pain of love, rejection grieves the lover.
Love ceases not to love,
Love is God our Saviour.

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The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Light of the World

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Miriam, who had started to come to church, asked me, “How do I talk to God? How do you pray? Do you say your prayers like the ones on the service sheet?” “No,” I said, “When I pray I talk to God like I’m talking to you.” Not long afterwards she told me that she understood about prayer, she said, it was like scales falling from her eyes. The eyes of her understanding had been fully opened.

John the apostle recorded Jesus healing a man of his blindness; this man had been blind from birth. When his neighbours found out that he had been healed, they went with him to the Pharisees to give testimony of his healing and to offer thanksgiving to God. The response from the Pharisees when they heard, they criticised Jesus calling him a sinner for healing on the Sabbath Day.
In verse 18 we read that the Jews did not believe that the man had been blind at all. They knew of no one born blind being healed. They called his parents and questioned them, but their response did not satisfy the Pharisees. They questioned the man for a second time, he challenged them claiming if God were not with this man, he could do nothing; the Pharisees refused to believe and threw him out.
Jesus heard that he had been cast out, so he went to the man and asked him, “Did he believe in the Son of man?” The Son of man one of the names associated with the Messiah. The man replied, “And who is he, sir, that I might believe in him?” Jesus identifies himself as the Son of man. The man acknowledged Jesus, “Lord, I believe” and worshipped him. John 9: 1-38 Mark 1: 44.

The Pharasees did not discern this miracle was of God. In verses 39-41 Jesus pointed to the Day of Judgement when those like the Pharisees who had the knowledge, the oversight of the scriptures were accountable to God would be answerable to Jesus as God has given judgement to his Son. John 5: 22.
Matthew Henry in his concordance wrote, “The Pharisees gloried in that they weren’t blind, they saw with their own eyes and relied upon their own ability for their guidance.”

Let your light shine
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he advises every Christian to walk in the light, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ so that our deeds are pleasing to God. Ephesians 5: 8-10

Composition of Light – ‘Chemistry of the Blood’ Chapter 4 Chemistry of Light by Dr DeHaan
Light rays can be seen as shafts of light streaming through the clouds, seen, but not felt.
Heat rays are felt, but not seen. Chemical rays are invisible they can neither be seen nor felt.

Jesus in him there is no darkness at all; he is the lamp light of the world. His light reveals our creator God through his words. The words of Jesus are a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Psalm 119: 105.

Jesus’ words have been recorded in the Gospels and Letters they give people from all walks of life an opportunity to make a choice to believe or not to believe on the evidence in the writings.
Even though written 2,000 years ago, the recorded evidence takes on sight, inwardly in our soul/spirit. The words of Jesus are living words and eternal. The parable of the sower shows us that the sower sowed the word and the word is received by faith. Mark 4:14, 20

The fruit of light is found in all that is good and right. Ephesians 5: 9
.Abraham believed God and it was counted as righteousness. Genesis 15: 6. Romans 9: 30.
The seed of the word, received by faith contains all the righteousness of God. Characteristics and attributes of faith in the divine nature of our Lord God: truth, honesty, loyalty, trust, perseverance, and assurance in, commandments, virtue, self-control, knowledge, steadfastness, Godliness, brother and sisterly affection with love, compassion and kindness. 2 Peter 1: 5-8
Our deeds are brought to the light at the Judgement Seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5: 10. Romans 14: 10. We come before Jesus for rewards not punishment. Our deeds that were worldly will be burnt up and only the deeds of faith are seen like gem stones and are rewarded. 1 Corinthians 3: 12.

We reign with Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Abraham looked for a city whose founder and maker is God. Hebrews 11: 10
John the apostle saw the heavenly city Jerusalem and described its appearance as a jewelled city.
“And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel was inscribed; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 10-14

The twelve gates bearing the names of the tribes of Israel. On the high priest’s breast plate were the names and gem stones of the tribes. Exodus 39: 14.
The breastplate was covering the heart, worn close to the heart signifying how precious the tribes, the sons of Jacob were to God. ”So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment upon his heart, when he goes into the holy place, to bring them to continual remembrance before the Lord.” Exodus 28: 29.

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 14.
“The foundations of the city were adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.” Revelation 21: 19.
Jesus said that the twelve disciples would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Three gates on each of the walls, “The wall was built of jasper, while the city was of pure gold, clear as glass.” verse 18

The twelve gates made of twelve pearls.” And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.” verse 21
Under law the Jews were forbidden to eat shell fish, therefore it must be under the grace of the new covenant for the gates to be made of pearl and have the names of the twelve tribes inscribed on them. Leviticus 11: 9-12. Deuteronomy 14: 9, 10.
The pearl is known as ‘The Pearl of Salvation’ to understand its meaning we look to how a pearl is produced; it is after an oyster’s shell is damaged, as a result a parasite enters the shell, this parasite would destroy the oyster. However the oyster sends to the parasite a solution ‘Mother of Pearl’ that covers it and the interior of its shell. After a period of time the solution builds on the parasite and forms the pearl. (In cultivated pearls a grain of sand is inserted into the oyster’s shell, which irritates the oyster. It sends the mother of pearl solution in the same way to the grain of sand which eventually forms the pearl.)

Pearl of Salvation
When we look at this process spiritually; the parasite is sin, the solution is the blood of Jesus for forgiveness of sin, which takes place within the darkness of the shell. The shell is opened to reveal the pearl and this is symbolic of the resurrection and Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

Entrance into the heavenly city through the Pearl of Salvation.
In the heavenly city the gates are the twelve tribes no longer under law but under grace.
The disciples all Jewish men were setting up the kingdom of God at the beginning of acts in anticipation of Jesus’ return with the angels of God. They were given the task of making Christ known as the promised Messiah, it was a national calling. Peter addressed the crowd at Pentecost, “Men of Judea . . . . Men of Israel . . . Brethren, I say to you confidently of the patriarch David . . . “First to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Acts 2: 14, 22, 29.

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus that it was God’s plan to unite Jew and Gentile into one body and one Spirit.
”So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” Ephesians 2:18-20

Jesus founded the church through the apostles, they witnessed to the death and resurrection of Jesus. They proved through the prophetic writings of the prophets that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit gave them direction, guidance and gave testimony to Jesus, by signs following the word.
The Jerusalem church put in place the structure of leadership; Bishops, Deacons and Elders.
(See blog The Messiah’s Secret – The Way)

The prophecy of the out pouring of the Holy Spirit at the Feast of Tabernacles.
“The Day of the Great Hosanna” The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel by Victor Buksbazen.
“The ritual of water pouring lasted six days, climaxing on the seventh day, which concluded the Feast of Tabernacles. This day was called Hoshana Rabba, The Day of the Great Hosanna. It had special messianic significance. . . . the pouring of water from the Pool of Siloam into the altar basin, the blasting of trumpets by the priests, the singing of Psalms by the Levites, and the prayers of the people, “Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord,” when the Messianic fever was at its highest pitch, that the Lord Jesus Christ stood in the temple crying: “If any man thirst let him come to me and drink. He that believeth in me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John7: 38. “What our Saviour said by implication was: “I am the answer to your prayers.”

The Permanent Light of the Heavenly City Jerusalem.
In the first and second temples at Jerusalem the temple were permanently lit using olive oil.
In 163BC the temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes he had pigs sacrificed on the altar.
After the Jewish revolt led by Mattathias Maccabee the temple was re-dedicated. In the temple they found a jar of cruise oil which was used in the temple for the permanent light. This jar contained only enough oil to last one night, by a miracle the oil lasted for eight days. The Feast of Dedication ‘Hanukkah’ in December celebrates this event.
The church celebrates Jesus the light of the world coming into the world, his birth in December.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also a celebration of light. The temple was filled with light.
The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel by Victor Buksbazen. ‘Temple Lights and the Light of the World.’
“Another central feature of the Feast of Tabernacles was the illumination of the temple in Jerusalem. The festive pilgrims came to the temple bearing lights and torches; while in the temple itself the golden candlesticks were lighted, transforming the temple into one brilliant focus of light which illuminated most of Jerusalem and surroundings. What an eloquent symbol of the Sanctuary of God which was to be a light of the world. Amidst all this splendour and the brilliant lights in the temple, our Saviour stood proclaiming: “I am the light of the world.”

The eternal light of Christ is in every believer.
I’ve seen the light of Christ shining in Christians on a number of occasions: In my twenties I saw the light of Christ in a young man who today would be described as having learning difficulties. It was lunch time and my sister and I were passing through a room where this young man was sat reading. We asked him what he was reading. He looked up and said that he was reading his Bible and began to quote from what he was reading; as soon as he spoke I saw his face was glowing in the light of Christ.
On another occasion I was at a church function the room well lit and full of people. I happened to look across the room and saw around the head of Ron Freeman our Vicar, a halo around his head and in the light the word ‘love.’
On another occasion a lady came to my market stall as we conversed she told me that she was a Christian as soon as she started to tell me this her face shone with the light of Christ.

The prophecy of Joel gives a clear indication that the created light will falter.
“The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day.” Acts 2: 20
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light.” Isaiah 13: 10.
“Jesus said, “But in these days after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Mark 13: 24, 25.
These are future prophesies, and other prophesies have yet to be fulfilled before the heavenly Jerusalem comes from heaven to the new earth.

The eternal light of God will light up the eternal city.
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of the Lord is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light the nations will walk; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it.” Revelation 21: 22-24.

The church reigns with Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem.
“And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22: 5.