I am the light of the world

Top: The Lord Jesus said, I am the light of the world
Right: Behold! I stand outside the door and knock. If someone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in, and I will eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

Left: The true light came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. All who received him, who trusted in his name, he gave them the right to be sons and daughters of the High Lord.

John 1:12

Bottom right: In the beginning was the Way

Bottom left: The Way become flesh

Large paragraph of small characters:

An explanation of the picture

This is a famous English painter’s painting which hangs in Oxford University. He calls this painting “the Light of the World.” On the left there is a door. I have already shut the door in his face, the lock cannot be opened from the outside, or it was already locked for fear that he might come in. The grass outside shows no footsteps. The hinges and nails on the door are old and rusty. The tangled grass and weeds climb the wall, vines are withered and dropping leaves indicating that this door has not been opened in a long time. The bat above clings to the eaves in the day and at night flies to and fro.

Although I do not open the door, I seem to see an honored guest outside the door. The clothes that he wears are like the spotless white robes of a priest in the temple. I suppose they are those worn by the great high priest when he comes to the Holy Place to redeem the sins of the people. He truly is the great high priest. He comes to enable me to see the High Lord. If it were not for this kind of great high priest how could I myself see the Lord?

He also wears a mantle like a king, made with gold thread pearls and precious stones. Apart from a king, who would have this breastplate that is like Aaron’s breastplate? There are precious stones of the 12 tribes of Israel, indicating the law of the old covenant. There is a ring of eternal life, within which are set 12 precious stones that are the foundation of the New Jerusalem, representing the new covenant. Between these is a cross connecting the old and new covenants. This honored guest is the king of kings. Has he come to be your king. What method could he use to call you to open the door?

I also saw his crowns. One is the crown of a king, made with gold and precious stones, placed on his head by his heavenly Father, indicating his authority. But he also has a crown of thorns placed on his head by his enemies, indicating his enemies want to cause his suffering. He wears this bitter crown reminding me how much shame he receive for my sake, revealing that love has conquered hate, because his sacrifice leads the hearts of the people of the world to return to the High Lord. You can look carefully at this wonder, the thorns are not sharp. Although it died, it resurrected. Its leaves are able to “heal the nations”. The light emanating from the crown of thorns on the head of the Savior-lord indicate full hope of salvation in his being nailed to the cross.

Another light emanates from the lantern the honored guest carries. The emanating light indicates my conscience, radiates to the door, penetrating my heart. The red light from the lantern falls on the white robes, causing me to see the most holy robes. But when the light falls on other things, it is the warm light of my conscience illuminating the door and fruit that has fallen from the tree. This fruit indicates the root of sin inherited from Adam and Eve. Is this fruit mine? This fruit garden seems to be in my memory, could it be the Garden of Eden? For not listening to the command, a flaming sword, a lost garden of joy, a black curse makes each generation blind. At that time, “a righteous head must arise, the light of which has the power of healing.” In the East a morning star introducing the rising sun can be seen. Is it actually the sun of righteousness? Below the tree is a river of life, bright and shining like crystal.” Is this magnificent light for me? This honored guest, by taking advantage of the darkness by coming early, is it not to call me so as not to miss the rays of light coming from the sun?

I cannot help but see the face of the honored guest. He has a face that manifests love that comes through suffering, a mercy that can pierce through the hardest heart, a patience that lasts as long as the planet. KNOCK KNOCK A silent wish. Although he gently urges me, he cannot not but be successful. I, upon hearing this honored guest who comes in the appearance of a king–knocking at the door, knocking at the door–while he remains outside, how can I not with great urgency and speed open the door?

Sunday School Union