I AM the Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

(John 8:58 and Exodus 3:14)

Previously, in the first eleven verses of John chapter 8, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees had brought a woman caught in adultery to the temple court where Jesus was teaching. They said, ”Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do You say?” They were using this question as a trap in order to have a basis for accusing Him. 

Jesus bent down and wrote something in the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees began leaving one by one.  Jesus then asked the women where her accusers where.  He asks her if anyone has condemned her. Then Jesus tells her neither does He condemn her.  He says to her, “Go now, and leave your life of sin.” (See John 8:1-11).

Then Jesus spoke again to the people, saying, “I AM the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

In this same chapter Jesus tells the Pharisees that He is from above but that they are of this world.  If they do not believe that He is the One He claims to be, they will die in their sins. He later tells them the reason they are ready to kill Him is that they have no room for His Word.  The Old Testament prophets told about the coming Messiah, even where He would be born, how He would be betrayed and suffer, gave a description of the crucifixion, and even that the grave could not keep Him. These religious leaders should have known and recognized Christ Jesus, but they didn’t.  They were so in the dark, that they were not aware that it was God they were trying to trap and have killed.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 

But God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21).

In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father through grace and truth (John 1:14).

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has every seen God, but God the One and Only (John 1:17-18).

John the Baptist was a witness to the True Light who gives light to every man that puts their faith in Christ Jesus (see John 1:9).

When we are born again from above, the Holy Spirit quickens our spirit to desire after Jesus and His Word. The Holy Spirit illuminates our understanding of God's Word. All Scripture was breathed out by the Holy Spirit of God and is able to make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. Because all Scripture has been God-breathed it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  
(2 Timothy 3:15b-17; Romans10:17). 

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm119:105).

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the life consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:8-10).

John the Baptist was with two of his disciples when he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. After that, Jesus began calling more disciples to "follow Him." (see John 1:35-37). Now Jesus wants us to follow after Him and to let our light shine for His glory.

One day we will not need the sun or moon or any artificial light. The Lamb will be our light!

And the city has no need of sun and moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of he earth will bring their glory into it (Revelation 21:23-24). Amen!

~Annie~