Jesus said: “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
TOPIC: Jesus likens himself to the Light of the World.
BACKGROUND: This is the second of Jesus’ I AM statements recorded in the gospel of John. Immediately after Jesus spoke these words, the Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid” (John 8:13). In the next chapter Jesus used the same term after healing the blind man.
Light is something we take for granted. Each day we follow the same cycle of light and dark. When the power goes out we realize how important light is. Light is also necessary for plant life. Every science student learns that photosynthesis cannot occur in darkness. Plants need light to manufacture the necessary food. Some plants even turn and bend toward the light throughout the daily cycle. The earth would be in great danger if even for a few days darkness remained.
Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles. During this celebration large golden lampstands were lit in the temple court signifying the pillar of fire that led the Israelites in the wilderness. It was an ideal time and place for Jesus to make a point.
He began his message by stating, “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). He was claiming that he is the only source for spiritual light. No one can travel the path to heaven without following his light to show the way. Psalm 119:105 says it beautifully, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
This message was not only for the Jews standing there. He is the light for the whole world—Jew and Gentile. We thank Jesus for giving us that light. And we pray that we might reflect that light on those around us.
PRAYER THOUGHT: by Horatius Bonar
Light of the world, undimming and unsetting,
O shine each mist away!
Banish the fear, the falsehood, and the fretting,
Be our unchanging day! Amen.
PAUL WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “We know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised to life, never again to die.” Romans 6:9 CEV
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer