I Am the Light of the World – John’s Gospel chapter 8, verses 12 to 30
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5
The light side and the dark side.
Darkness brings fear and despair, making us recognise our need of light.
At the festival of lights the great lamps of the Temple shed light over darkened Jerusalem (a city without streetlights). A reminder of God’s light that led Israel out of slavery into the promised land.
In the Temple Jesus cries out “I am the light of the world”
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.’
John 8:12
His metaphor, just as often used in the Bible – The Lord God is a sun and shield, Psalm 84:11. and I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’ Isaiah 49:6.
The Pharisees challenge him: We don’t believe you!
The Pharisees challenged him, ‘Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ….. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
John 8:13-20
A rude interruption. He calls on his origin, and his Father as witness. Their minds are shut so they just don’t get it. Would have seized him, but again, his time had not yet come.
Jesus challenges the Pharisees
23 But he continued, ‘You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.’
John 8:23-24
‘You reject me, and will die in your sins, in darkness. You won’t follow me on earth, and cannot then follow me to heaven, “if you do not believe…”‘
But many believed in Jesus
Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
John 8:30
In the middle of hostility many believed. It is no different today.
What about you?
Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
