I AM the Light of the World, John 8:12-59

There is no better wordsmith than Jesus.

With one small phrase He saves the woman’s life; they drop the stones and walk away. John 8:7-9.

Then He utters the now famous phrase:

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12.

As usual, His timing is powerful, and perfect, in more ways than one.

It was like the day after Christmas. The lights were being taken down—the huge menorahs that lit up the night for the week-long Feast of Tabernacles.

The parallel couldn’t be missed.

Their ancestors followed God through the wilderness in a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 13:21-22.

Now Jesus tells them to follow Him, for He is, the light of the world.

Furthermore, those first two words cannot be mistaken. I AM.

Those are the words God spoke from a burning bush over 1,400 years prior.

It went something like this:

Moses, go to Egypt and tell Pharoah, ‘Let My people go.’

Who should I say sent me?

Tell them, I AM, has sent you.  

Exodus 3.

Oh, and one more thing. Jesus is headed toward a man who walked in darkness from birth, (born blind) but is about to meet, and see, the Light of Life. John 9:5-7.

Unfortunately, before He gets to the man, religion gets in the way and causes a delay.

Jesus offers an invitation to Light. Religion screams, you didn’t do it right!

 

¹³ The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

They’re saying: You’re just tooting Your own horn.

It didn’t matter that His words were powerful, His timing perfect.

John 8:14-18.

¹⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. ¹⁶ And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. ¹⁷ It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. ¹⁸ I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

 His response reveals how He maintained His identity and stayed the course walking the straight and narrow.

1.     He didn’t need any endorsement from man.

2.     He never forgot where He was from.

3.     He never lost sight of where He was going.

4.     He didn’t judge, according to the flesh (His emotions).

5.     He knew He was not alone.

6.     He knew He was a witness.

 

We’d do well to do the same.

1.     You need no endorsement from man. Your value is endorsed by God, who says you’re worth the very life blood of My only begotten Son.

2.     Never forget where you’re from. No matter where you’re at, the top line of your family tree is God. Luke 3:38.

3.     Never forget where you’re going. In a minute you’ll be in one of two places. If you’re sure the destination is heaven, stay the course. If unsure, it’s time to get sure; for a minute clicks off quick, and then, it’ll be hell to pay.

4.     Judge not. There is only one Judge. Matthew 7:1, James 4:12.

5.     You’re never alone. God is with you, Deuteronomy 31:6. Furthermore, He still walks this planet in flesh and bone—through His Body, the Church. If you’re willing and obedient, He will place you in a family (Church; Ekklesia) where He will always meet with you.

6.     You are a witness. One way or another. Good or bad. Jesus desires that you let His Light so shine through you, that others see, and glorify Him. Matthew 5:16.

 

The debate continues through chapter eight to this very day.

Some believe in Him. All in—fully committed to Him. John 8:30.

Some believe Him. Intellectually acknowledge—no commitment. John 8:31. (like the devil; James 2:19).

Jesus stays the course and extends yet again another invitation:

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32.

He weaves those two powerful words, I AM, throughout the tapestry of His words, displaying an undeniable picture that He is God in the flesh, standing right before their very eyes. John 1:1, 14. John 8:24, 28, 58.

His words pierce like a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Driving some to repentance, others to rejection.

Chapter eight ends the way it began, with the religious folks picking up stones to kill; imitating their father, the devil. (John 8:40-41,44,10:10).

This time the rocks aren’t aimed at a woman exposed in her sin, but at Jesus, who exposed them for their sin.

But no worries, the Rock of Ages, walks right through them, because He has a Divine appointment to share the Light of Life, with a man born blind, with an old rugged cross, and with…you.