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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth
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THE LIGHT THAT HAS LIGHTED THE WORLD
I have come to be a light to the world, that whoever believes in me should not remain in darkness. I am the light that has lighted the world;
they that follow me will never again walk in darkness, but live their lives in the light
Here lies the supreme test: that such a brilliant light has come in to this dark world. Yet the inhabitants of this earth love darkness more than light, because their actions are blinded by selfishness and greed. So it is, those that give their lives to evil hate the light of truth, fearful that their actions will be witnessed and condemned; while they that do the truth step freely int o the light that their actions may be seen, for their works are pleasing to God.
Once, you went out into the wilderness to see the prophet, John the Baptist. He witnessed to you of the truth. He was a burning and shining light: and you were willing, at least for a while, to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John; the work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, proves that he has sent me.
If I do not do the works of my Father, then you are free to disbelieve. But, if I do his works, even if you don't believe in me, believe in the works that I do; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. I must do the work of him who sent me while it is day: because the night is fast approaching when no one will be able to work.
The lamp of the body is the eye: if your eye is sound, your whole life will be filled with light, but if your eye be preoccupied with evil, your whole life will be infected with darkness; and if what illuminates your life is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness.
Aren't there at least twelve hours of daylight? If you walk by day you don't stumble, because of the natural light around you. If, however, you walk by night, you will fall, because there is no light to guide you. Believe in the light that you may become "children of the light." Walk while you have the light, for the darkness is rapidly falling. They that walk in darkness are lost. If the blind are leading the blind, then both are destined to fall.
You don't light a candle and then cover it with a vase, or place it under a bed; instead, you set it on a candlestick, so that when you or your guests enter your house there is light to see by. Neither do you light a candle and then place it under a basket, instead, you set it on a candlestick to give light to all that are in the house. Don't you realize that you are the light of the world? You are like a city built on a hill that cannot go unnoticed. Let your light shine brightly before all people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. For that which you do in secret will eventually be revealed, and that which seems to be hidden will one day be broadcast far and wide. What I am telling you now in private, proclaim publicly, and what you hear whispered by the Spirit, should from the housetops.
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These are the very words of Jesus of Nazereth. Taken originally from the Bible , and arranged here by subject as they appear in Lee Cantelon's book "The Words" (c) 1997.
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