I. Christ the Light of the World. The figure. Light is from God (Gen. i. 3), is bright and shining. Lights up darkness, reveals hidden things, makes all clear.
The meaning. Christ came from God, to dispel world's darkness (St. Matt. iv. 16) and ignorance, and to reveal God (ch. xiv. 9).
II. Christ's People Free (31-36). Bondage. New disciples put to the test. They must do two things—continue in His word, i.e. learn more of Him, and act upon the truth in their lives. The result will be that they will break their bondage and be free. The Jews object that they have never been in bondage. What have they forgotten? Their bondage in Egypt for four hundred years (Acts vii. 6); their seventy years' exile in Babylon (Dan. ix. 2); their present submission to the Romans. Christ tells them of a greater bondage than any other—that of sin and Satan. To live a life of sin is to be a slave of sin, which involves expulsion from the house (ver. 35).
Examples. Cain the murderer became a wanderer (Gen. iv. 12). Hagar, mocking Sarah, had to leave home (Gen. xvi. 6). Prodigal son went to strange land (St. Luke xv. 13). No rest for the wicked.
Freedom. Given to Christ's people. The Son shared Father's home from all eternity—so do His brethren. They are ever with Him, share His home and love (St. Luke xv. 31); they are free from sin (Rom. vi. 22); they cannot wilfully sin, being children of God (1 John iii. 9). Free to serve Him with loving service.
Examples. Martha (St. Luke x. 40), Mary (St. John xii. 4), and St. Paul (Phil. iii. 7).
Lessons. 1. The wages of sin is death.
2. Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?
Burden of Sin.
We have a picture of the Arabs dragging huge loads for Mr. Layard, the great explorer, and we can imagine how Pharaoh's slaves, the Israelites, must have sweated and smarted under their burdens when in Egypt. And I (writes an eminent preacher) seemed in my youth to have just such a load behind me, and it would not stir. My burden of inward sin when I was fifteen was such that I knew not what to do. I prayed, and it would not stir. I read my Bible, but it would not move. I cried to God in my agony; I trusted Him. I looked to the Lamb of God, the sin-bearer, and lo! the burden was gone. I obtained pardon and peace through Jesus Christ, "Who bore our sins."
March 12th.—Christ Healing the Blind Man.