This Month's Theme:Â The Light of the WorldÂ
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." – John 8:12
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The Hymn in the Hallway
When he was just eleven years old, Philip Bliss heard a piano for the first time as he was walking into town to sell vegetables.
Mesmerized, he climbed over a fence and stood in the doorway of a stranger’s home listening to a young lady play the music so beautifully.
When she paused, Philip asked her to keep playing, completely startling both the young lady and Philip. At that age, he didn’t even know he was trespassing!
He also didn’t know how much the Lord would use the gift of music in his life.
Philip grew up to be a music composer, singing school teacher, evangelistic meeting music director, singer and hymn writer. He wrote the music to Horatio Spafford’s “It Is Well With My Soul” and both words and music to such favorites as “Rescue the Perishing,” “Hold the Fort” and “The Light of the World Is Jesus.”
“The Light of the World Is Jesus” was written in an incredibly short period of time. While he was walking down the hallway from one part of his home to another, God brought both the words and music to his mind and he sat down to put the hymn to paper.
Hymn Study Outline
Jesus Is Our:
Only Light (Stanza 1)
Saving Light (Refrain)
Guiding Light (Stanza 2)
Illuminating Light (Stanza 3)
Eternal Light (Stanza 4)
Read & Relate
The Light of the World Is Jesus
by Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16; Luke 1:78; John 1:4-9
Refrain:
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Acts 13:47; Ephesians 5:14; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:5;
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Psalm 18:28; Psalm 119:105, 130; Proverbs 6:23; Isaiah 42:16
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash at His bidding, and light will arise;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
John 9:7-9; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:11
No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Isaiah 60:19-20; James 1:17; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5
Reflect & Respond
Just like a flashlight helps us see our way down a dark hallway or basement, Jesus helps us see our way through spiritual darkness. Referring to Himself as the Light of the World, Jesus promised to give us the "light of life" when we follow Him.
It's fascinating to think of all the attributes of physical light that help us understand the spiritual light Jesus offers but it is also amazing to think of Jesus as our physical light in Heaven.
According to Revelation 21:23, the glory of God will give the heavenly city its light and the Lamb Himself will be the lamp. Together they replace the sunlight and the moonlight.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your glorious light now and forever. Help me follow its glow in the increasing darkness and shine Your light to the world around me. Amen.
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Related Hymns for Life Member Resources
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The Study Guide
Hymns for Life member, our latest Hymn Study Guide will help you reflect through each stanza of our hymn and connect it more firmly in biblical truth.
This guide includes:
- the hymn story
- the hymn text
- related Scripture passages
- a glossary of terms to help you consider the meaning of the text
- five stanza studies to help you think through each stanza and the refrain
- reflection questions for each stanza
- a space to write each stanza in your own words
To Help You Reflect
To Help You Remember
Keep a framed reminder of the everlasting Light Jesus is to us.
Print and post this print on your fridge or bulletin board, clip in a photo holder or place in a 5 x 7 photo frame.
To Help You Share
Come to the Light (Postcard)
Walk In the Light Card (Landscape)
