John 8:12

Jesus, the Light of the World

Introduction

It is well known that there are a number of differences between John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels, including these seven great proclamations by Jesus which begin with the words “I am”, and are only recorded by John. In these proclamations Jesus uses well-known pictures of every day life to show His significance. All that we need is in Him for time and eternity. If we turn from ourselves, we will find all we need in Him.

I am the Light of the World (John 8:12) was spoken during the Feast of the Tabernacles. During this period of eight days, the Jews would live in booths or tents made of branches and celebrated the ingathering of the Harvest and also God’s care of them and guidance of their forefathers in the wilderness after leaving Egypt.

The first day of the feast was the Ceremony of Illumination of the Temple. Erected in the Court of the Women were four great candelabras. When darkness came, they were lit. Such a blaze of light lit up every corner, and the darkness was scattered. The light was a reminder of how God had led their ancestors with the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.

But it was at the close of the Feast, when there was no light, that Jesus stepped forward, seizing the appropriate moment, and proclaimed Himself as the Light of the World. To men in darkness of lives and understanding, in all ignorance and fear of the unknown, Jesus proclaims Himself and offers Himself as the answer. Everyone is included, for He came for the “world”. He is the only source of light, and He is for all.

I am the Light of the World

The picture of light is used extensively in the Bible, from the very beginning - Let there be light (Genesis 1:3), to the very end – The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp (Revelation 21:23). The Psalmist said The Lord is my light (Psalm 27:1). The Apostle John said God is light (1 John 1:5). Prophets described the coming Messiah as a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6), and Simeon in the Temple recognised the infant Jesus as a light for revelation to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32). Christian conversion is described in terms of God making light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6), and being called out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). Christian living is walking in the light (1 John 1:7), or living as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). Christian witness is letting your light shine before men (Matthew 5:16). The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Of guidance, the Psalmist says in your light we see light (Psalm 36:9).

Now this claim of Christ perfectly fits in with the whole of Bible teaching. The Son of God says I am the Light of the World. The implication of this statement is that we were born in darkness, and without Him we would live and die in darkness. Man may be knowledgeable about many things, but as far as God is concerned, knowing His will, being related to Him, the value of the soul, the danger of sin, the way to escape hell and make sure of heaven, man is in total darkness. A man may be a man of culture and letters, may have the acute mind of a politician, possess enormous wealth, be a clear-thinking philosopher, a theologian with enormous Bible knowledge, but if he is without Christ, he is in darkness.

This has application especially to religious people then and now. Ancient religions stressed they gave light to men, just as today’s religious viewpoints claim to provide light to men’s minds. But here Jesus says egw eigi “I, and I alone, am the light of the world”. Regardless of where men live, the culture in which they live, their level of intelligence, social class, which century they live in, or possessions they have. Jesus is clear, authoritative and dogmatic – we could say His claim in intolerant and exclusive. This is an amazing claim from such a humble man. Everyone knew He came from an obscure village in a despised little country, and came from conquered people. How could and did He say such a thing?

He and He alone is the Son of God in a unique sense, sent into this world from His Father’s bosom, full of grace and truth. He dealt with sin on the Cross, rose triumphant, and is alive for evermore. He sent His Spirit into men’s hearts, He opens their eyes, gives new and eternal life, leads men to an intimate and personal relationship with God, makes the Bible a living book, leads men into knowledge of God’s will, and shows them where to go and what to do. In other words – never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. What the sun is to the solar system – the centre of light, heat, life and fertility – Christ is to sinful needy men and women who are in complete moral and spiritual darkness.

So as the light of the world He can impart light, peace and salvation, give spiritual help and guidance in a dark world. Regardless of time and place, in sickness or health, in full bloom of life or on the borders of death and eternity, He will flood life with His light. We do not know what the day will bring forth. But God knows. He guides us one step at a time, and He will not fail us. He will regulate and control life, keep and bless us. We can have divine certainty at every step. Then He will send us out to be, in our turn, light in the world in a lesser sense, reflecting the light within us (Matthew 5:14). Shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:15). We will not only be blessed ourselves, but in turn we will be a blessing to others. There are enormous possibilities for us in Christ, but only in Him. We are not speaking of anything we possess or can achieve, but what we can receive and be made in Christ. To have Him is to have light.

Whoever follows me

The key word by which He and all His blessings as light become ours is “follow”. This is full of meaning and deep implication. Firstly, what does it not mean? People are inclined to read their own meaning into this word. It is not just a matter of imitating His example, or admiring Him, talking about or patronizing Him, or saying nice things about or approving of Him. The word “follow” implies personal dealings and continual relationship. We must come to Him first of all. That light must search and reveal hidden things in life, which need to be confessed and forgiven and put away. Then having come to Him, we need to go on with Him.

Follow hard after, akolouqwn “keep on following”. Yield life, commit wholly and entirely. Not casual acquaintance but whole-hearted discipleship. Yield to Him not only past and present, but also unknown future, that we may fulfil His purpose for our lives, and we can receive His fullness. Let Him into every room of the soul. Our imagination must be open to His light. In the room for ambitions – is He in charge there? Is He in control of the strong room where the money is kept? Is He welcome in the room where we meet our friends? Does His light shine on the library and the TV room? “Follow” must mean Christ is absolutely central, and then darkness disappears.

Be totally committed. If Christ is not in every situation, we are only playing at being a Christian. If we are totally committed, He is our goal, purpose, focus, object, and therefore our strength and real direction. We have got something which is real and satisfies. Else we are weak and wavering and getting nowhere, making no impact. The only Christian who is getting anywhere in the Gospel is the one who can say with Christ, My food is to do the will of Him who sent me (John 4:34), and with Paul, This one thing I do (Philippians 3:13).

Being a Christian in the Bible is a demanding thing. This is why Jesus urged any who would be His disciples to count the cost. They have to say goodbye to self-seeking and self-assertion, and to say “yes” to Christ every step of the way. His call comes to be committed without compromise and reserve. But this committed life will be flooded with light, and is illuminated more and more as days go by. It is marked by assurance and confidence, even when not able to see the way ahead, and even during times of opposition, sickness and death.

Must be watchful lest diverted by worldliness, careful lest we run ahead. Keep sensitiveness of conscience. The moment we are diverted and the moment we begin to look to self and take our eyes off the Lord, so the shadows begin to gather and darkness returns.

Jesus calls us to follow, like a pupil to his teacher, a soldier to his officer, a slave to his master, a traveller to his guide, a sheep to his shepherd, in total trust and unquestioning obedience.

A man once walked along a shore in Europe, and picked up something that had been washed in by the sea. It was a nut he had never seen before. Later he found the stone of a fruit, which he was also certain never grew in a country he knew. He decided there must surely be land not discovered yet over in the west. He decided to find out. He got a crew together, and they crossed uncharted seas, hindered by winds and waves, in the face of gales and mutiny. But he stood by the tiller and kept his boat westward, into the unknown. One day they saw land. Columbus had discovered the New World.

Would we venture all in dependence on Christ? Bank all on Him? We face a future all unknown, with opposition and problems we cannot foresee, and unfamiliar experiences to go through. But if we are in God’s will, and are fully surrendered to Him, we will not walk in darkness. He will be with us and see us through. Step out in Christ. Venture all on Him. Go forward into the unknown with Him. Then the light will grow and increase. He will not fail you.

Conclusion

This claim of Christ is addressed to the “world” – that includes you. Is something holding you back? Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (John 3:20). Be very suspicious of yourself if you shrink from Christ. There is something wrong which you do not wish to be known and are unwilling to give up. But without Him, you are on your own. Trying to deal with your own problems will be disastrous. With no map and no support, you will take many wrong steps. Need to have veil removed, eyes opened, and ears opened, let Christ win you and take hold of your life.

The challenge goes out to everyone to make a definite, conscious and unreserved yielding of life to Christ. Not just for today or tomorrow, but for the rest of your life.