As one views society and the world today it is easy to see the darkness of sin all around us. More and more Christianity is under attack and Christians are seen as the intolerant people who need to be stopped. And for those of us who know the Lord as our Savior, we realize that Jesus is the only hope, the only light in this dark world. And that is the message of this week's hymn which was written by Philip Bliss many years ago. The popular "singing Pilgrim," as Philip Bliss was called, was well known on both sides of the Atlantic, for Ira D. Sankey sang his appealing songs into the hearts of the people. The great revival held in England and Scotland by Moody and Sankey in 1873 owed much of its success to the pleasing hymns and tunes introduced there for the first time. Many of these were composed by Bliss, and somehow, people who heard them could not shake them off. Bliss was only 38 years old when he lost his life in a train accident while on his way to join Sankey in Chicago. He died trying to save his wife from a burning railway car. Bliss wrote this hymn one year before he died. This hymn was written in Bliss' home. According to Major D. W. Whittle, "It came to him together, words and music, one morning while passing through the hall to his room, and was at once written out". I always find it amazing to hear of great hymns that are quickly written and then survive through the decades. "The Light of the World is Jesus" was written for a revival meeting and was sung by Ira D. Sankey. It proved to be a favorite and still is. Jesus is the Light of the World! (Jn 8:12). Meditate on these words this week and if you know the "Light of the World" personally, then thank him for revealing himself to you in this dark world.
(1) 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!
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!
(2) 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!
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!
(3) 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!
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!
(4) 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!
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!
You can listen to this week's hymn here. LISTEN
1 comment:
Thank you for publishing the lyric of the whole hymn and the tune too.
I can only remember the last line of the chorus and wanted to teach it to my Sunday junior class this week.
The lesson is from Luke 2.
Just in time.
Next time I will know where to look for great hymns and their history.
Post a Comment