Window 6b: I am the Light of the World

 In the second panel of Window 6, Christ is represented as "the Light of the World."  In John 8, this saying of Jesus immediately follows the incident of the woman taken in adultery, about whom Jesus said,

 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one....Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life "(John 8:7b-9a, 12).

Window 4b:  "I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12)

In the image medallion, Jesus stands in a blaze of light rays, holding a lighted lamp.  The use of white and yellow glass "rays" against the blue background is particularly striking on a sunny day, when this panel glows brightly with all the light these "rays" let through.

The lighted lamp, also present in the symbol medallion, reminds us that Christ brings light to dark places, helping us to see our sinfulness and clear our hearts and minds in the "light of life." 

Given the context in which this "I am" statement is found (John 8, quoted above), we see how Christ's words convict the men of their own sinfulness, leading to his statement about being the light of the world.  Therefore, this "I am" statement is about much more than Jesus simply showing us the way or lighting our path -- it's also about showing us who we are (enlightening us), so that we can repent and approach Him with a clean heart and renewed spirit.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, our light and our salvation, shine your light into our lives, that we may see every speck of dirt and cobweb and be able to cleanse our hearts and minds, so we can see you more clearly every day.  Amen.

South Aisle, Window 6: 
 I am the good shepherd; I am the light of the world.

Window Dedication:

Given in Loving Memory 
of their Mother and Father, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boor
 by Mr. and Mrs. Dale Mahlum