Jesus is the Light of the World

John 8:12–20
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Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Back in the days before electricity, a tightfisted old farmer was taking his hired man to task for carrying a lighted lantern when he went to call on his best girl. “Why,” he exclaimed, “when I … More

Light

During the Feast of Tabernacles, the women’s court in the temple was lighted by giant lamps with burning wicks made from the priests’ worn out garments. This reminded the people of how God was with them in the wilderness guiding them by a pillar of fire by night. In this setting we find Jesus declaring, “I am the light of the world” (v. 12). Jesus is “the light,” and not just “a light” or “another light” among many lights (John 1:9). The only people who cannot see the light are blind people.

Jesus said He knew where He came from and where He was going (vv. 13-14). The Pharisees objected to Christ’s testimony because all testimonies must be proven by two witnesses according to the law (Deuteronomy 17:6). Since Jesus appeared as His own witness, they said His testimony was not valid (v. 13). He said that He didn’t judge anyone (v. 15). If He did judge He would do it fairly because the Father would help Him (v. 16).They did not understand that He had two testimonies: He gave witness and so did His Father. The law required that they have two witnesses (v. 17-18). Jesus made it clear that their thinking was not dependable because their judgment was faulty (v. 19). If the law required two human witnesses for accuracy, how much more dependable is the witness of two divine persons, the Father and the Son?

One of the greatest tragedies of human history is the fact that these Jewish experts in the Law did not even know their own Messiah. They claimed to know the Law of God, but they did not know the God of the Law. They did not know the Father, and therefore, did not know the Son. It is only with an open mind that we can know the truth that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord.

Application

It is very comforting to know that as a born again believer, I will never have to walk in darkness. Jesus has helped to light my way through the dark times of life. There have been times when I have refused to follow the light and found myself in darkness. Lord, help me to be a person who follows You and not one who has to have my own way.

John 8:12-20 (English Standard Version)

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." So the Pharisees said to him, "You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true." Jesus answered, "Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me." They said to him therefore, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also." These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

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More John commentaries

Jesus is the Light of the World

John 8:12–20» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Application

John 8:12-20 (English Standard Version)

John 8:12–20
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)