Anchor My Faith

I AM the Light of the World

Scripture: John 8:12

In the previous lesson we finished up the narrative about the woman who was caught in the act of adultery and brought to Jesus to see if he would judge her and condemn her to death. Since he was not sent to judge but to seek and to save, he points out the sin of her accusers, causing them to leave. Jesus does not condemn her as a judge but sends her away with the command to go and sin no more. With this situation resolved we are ready to begin a new section in which Jesus claims to be the light of the world.

^{Jn 8:12} “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.”’

There are seven absolute “I AM” statements in the gospel of John. The first is found at John 6:35, where Jesus claims to be the bread of life. His claim of being the light of the world, found here, is the second.

Going back to John 1:4 – 5, we read, 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.” Through Jesus all things were created, but at first the earth was covered with darkness. “God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Just as the earth was covered in darkness at the beginning, fallen man is born with darkness in his heart. As Jesus brought light to our world, he can bring light to our darkened hearts.

Our fallen world is shrouded in spiritual darkness, but Jesus having light can bring to this dark world true knowledge, moral purity, and the light that shows the very presence of God. But because of sin, the light is hated: ¹⁹ “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. ²¹ But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

As the Son of God, Jesus is the standard of holiness and righteousness, and his light reveals the unacceptable condition of sinful people. As coming from a dark room into the bright light brings pain to the eyes, light shining on a sinful heart brings pain and a desire for darkness. Here is the primary reason why Jesus was so hated and why his followers are today. This is brought out in John 12:35 – 36 (ESV): ³⁵ “So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. ³⁶ While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”’

When we are born spiritually, his light comes into our hearts and we become sons of light and have the potential of being hated as Jesus was. Jesus came into the world as light, so that whoever believes in him may not remain in darkness (John 12:46).

Conclusion

As we walk with Jesus along the harmonized gospel path, we see how unique Jesus is. We saw him as bread that if eaten would provide eternal life. Now he is light that removes spiritual darkness if allowed into our hearts. If we fail to become part of this uniqueness through spiritual birth, we will fail to enter heaven. Doing good does not produce spiritual birth. Only the Father can cause spiritual birth based on our faith in Jesus.