2. I Am The Light of the World

Question 1

1. Context

Answer 1

• Said before Jesus heals a blind man.
• Many Jews in the 1st century believed illness was punishment for sin.
• Jesus rejects this idea and suggests illness is an opportunity for God’s work to be displayed (link to Irenaean Theodicy)

Question 2

2. Feast of Tabernacles

Answer 2

• Passage took place during the Feast of Tabernacles
• This was when the Temple was lit up by giant torches
• Symbolism: Temple is brightly lit, but people are in darkness

Question 3

3. Brown’s Interpretation

Answer 3

• This passage is symbolic

• Man’s blindness represents ignorance
• This ignorance is not their fault unless they insist on remaining ignorant.
• Jesus has arrived to open their eyes
• Fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be a ‘Light to the Gentiles’
• This passage is about the first Gentiles who believe (blind man), contrasting them with the Jews who don’t believe (Pharisees) and remain in the darkness.

Question 4

4. Implications

Answer 4

• Jesus’ identification with Light inspires the use of candles in worship
• A candle is lit on Easter Sunday, Good Friday etc

Question 5

Summary

Answer 5

1. Context
2. Feast of Tabernacles
3. Brown’s Interpretation
4. Implications