“The Light of the World” by Rev. Jeff Pate: Riverwood Podcast for December 21, 2025

The episode is a sermon by Rev. Jeff Pate from Riverwood Presbyterian Church, focusing on John 8:12. It begins with the reading of the verse and a call to hear God's word. Pate sets the historical context, noting Jesus spoke this in the final year of his public ministry, after the Feast of Tabernacles, in the temple's court of women. He describes the Feast of Tabernacles as a week-long celebration remembering Israel's wilderness wanderings. Pate explains that the court of women was where everyone, including men, women, and children, could hear Jesus. The sermon then delves into the nature of the darkness Jesus came to illuminate, distinguishing it from the good darkness of creation and identifying it as the spiritual darkness from sin. This darkness affects human minds, morals, and leads to alienation from God and impending judgment. Pate references scriptures like Romans 1 and Ephesians 4 to illustrate this. He uses the H.G. Wells story 'The Country of the Blind' to show how those in darkness cannot perceive light. The sermon analyzes Jesus's statement as the second 'I am' saying in John, echoing God's name from Exodus. Pate examines the grammar of 'light of the world,' clarifying it means Jesus is a light for the world, not from it. He connects this to prophecies like Isaiah 9 about a light shining in darkness. The sermon describes the temple's four large candelabras, 75 feet high, that lit Jerusalem during the feast, noting Jesus spoke with them extinguished. It explores what light does: revealing God's nature, human sin, and salvation. Pate emphasizes Jesus did not lower God's holiness but revealed human desperation. He references Zechariah's prophecy about John the Baptist preparing for Jesus, who gives knowledge of salvation through forgiveness. The sermon explains Jesus as the light who bore sin and gives new life. It discusses following Jesus as trusting, submitting, and denying self, taking up one's cross daily. Pate notes the light still shines through preaching and believers, who are called to be lights in the world. He concludes by linking the sermon to December 21st as the darkest day of the year, symbolizing the world's rejection of God, and prays for the church to radiate Christ's light.

As heard by us

A patient Advent sermon on Jesus' light and the Feast of Tabernacles lamps.

The sermon places Jesus' words, "I am the light of the world," in the wake of the Feast of Tabernacles, where great lamps in the court of women helped fill the celebration with visible light.

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Why you'd press play

You get an Advent sermon that makes Jesus' claim feel as large as the temple lamps glowing over Jerusalem.

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