John 8:12
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When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
This is another “I am” statement that Jesus gives us in John’s gospel. The first was in .
Jesus is speaking again in the temple. The Feast of the Tabernacles is still happening. Part of this celebration included the lighting of four huge lamps in the temple’s court of women. Additionally, according to one source, “Men of piety and good works danced through the night, holding burning torches in their hands and singing praises.” With this light glowing all over Jerusalem, it was in this context that Jesus says with authority, “I am the light of the world.”
More than just a response to the celebration, the roots of this go back to prophecy from what we know as the Old Testament:
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
Isaiah 42:
he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
“Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
The law will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
Then will all your people be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
in its time I will do this swiftly.”
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
“Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.”
What does the bible say about darkness?
We must understand that
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Ephesians 5:8
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
Colossians
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
John 1:4
Life in darkness culminates death.
And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Life in Christ culminates in eternal life.
His light shows the way. How did the Israelites know where to go during their journey through the wilderness?
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Exodus 13:
God has a way of providing light for our paths!
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Jesus came not only as a light for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well.
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
Christ calling Himself the Light signifies:
What He is Himself: excellent, glorious
What He is to the World: The source of light, the fountain of life, capable of lighting everyone
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
If Christ is the light of the world, what is our duty?
To follow Him
To submit ourselves to His guidance
To take directives from Him
To recognize that false light leads to destruction
Christ is the true Light:
We must follow it
We must believe in it
We must walk in it
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Walking/Following the light of Christ:
leads to fulfillment of life.
Leads to the knowledge of God
Leads to the enjoyment of knowing God, now and forever