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 abolished Moses’ 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 19^th 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.