The Sun is the star at the very heart of our solar system. It is by far the largest object in our solar system with a diameter of about 865,000 miles—that’s 109 times the diameter of the Earth—which means it is 330,000 x the mass of earth— which means it is so large that nearly 1.3 million Earths could fit inside of it volume-wise. It is the most important and essential object in our solar system as the source of life and that which sustains it.

The Sun’s gravity holds the entire solar system together from the biggest planets, down to the smallest particles of debris, in orbit, around it. The sun is the closest star to Earth—Even at a distance of 93 million miles, its gravitational pull holds the planet in orbit. It radiates light and heat and solar energy, which makes it possible for life to exist on Earth. Plants need sunlight to grow. Animals, including humans, need plants for food and the oxygen they produce—without heat from the sun, Earth would freeze—there would be no winds, no ocean currents, or no clouds to transport water.

The Sun drives weather, ocean currents, seasons, and climate, and makes plant life possible through photosynthesis. Without the Sun, Earth’s land, water, and air, would all be frozen solid and life on earth would cease to exist because virtually all living organisms need the light and heat of the Sun to survive…

Now, as important and central and necessary as the Sun is for life on earth and in our solar system…I submit to you that the other Son [S-O-N] is far more important for not just life in our solar system—but life in the universe—and the existence of the universe and life and everything in it—which owes itself to the creative power of his Word as John has revealed to us at the beginning of his Gospel…it is this Son who is the true Light!

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

And not only does the universe and life owe its existence to the Son—but its sustenance—Hebrews 1:1–3:

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Romans 11:36:

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

And it’s not just physical creation and life that owes its existence and sustenance to the power of Son of God, including our physical human life—but our spiritual life—being made new—given new life—being brought from spiritual deadness to life—transferred out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s Son—is equally and entirely dependent upon the power of the person and the perfect work of the Son of God activated in and applied to our lives by the Spirit of God—

That’s what John means in the opening verses of his Gospel about Jesus the Son and Word of God having life in himself which provides life to humanity (v. 4)…he means physical and spiritual…eternal! Light—and its physical source, the Sun is a powerful metaphor when illustrating its necessity for life. And Jesus knows that, so he applies this universal and physical reality to himself in his own words in a way no mere human has ever done or could rightfully apply—one that though his Jewish audience may not have first understood what he meant as he spoke it—on this side of the cross, we do!

“I AM the light of the world, because to whoever believes in me, I will grant life—and this life will not only save you, but will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path, guiding you on the way that leads to eternal life, and protecting you from the darkness that leads to eternal death.”