Light of the World

Day 134: John 8:1-20

'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.”' - John 8:12 ESV

This is the second of seven "I am" statements that John records in his Jesus biography. The first was in 6:35: "I am the bread of life."

This second "I am" statement being made within the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) backdrop is significant. At the end of each day during this feast, a great candle-lighting ceremony would take place in the evening. Light would flood the night sky. Jesus had a physical illustration happening as He declared Himself the light of the world.

It wouldn't have just been the candles that got the people's attention; it also would have reminded them of three key prophecies from the book of Isaiah (42:6, 49:6, 51:4) in which Israel is promised to be a "light for the nations."

Jesus is declaring Himself to be that light. Without our Savior, this world would be dark. Many would like to think Jesus is removable from culture. Yet, if we were able (which we are not) to remove Him, this would not be a place in which anyone would want to dwell—picture hell.

The Apostle Paul drove it home as he wrote:

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14 ESV

Want your life to be flooded with light and hope for tomorrow? Follow Jesus, and He'll take care of the illumination.