Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “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
What were the Jews celebrating in John chapter 7? What happened in the morning during the feast?
Now let’s take a look at what happened at the end of the day during this celebration time.
On the roof, there are colonnades that encircle the court where the women stand above the men and the men stand below. In the center of the court are four large menorahs each with seven lights. They are raised 50 yards high. The lights are so strong they would light up all of Jerusalem. This would happen every night during the feast. This pointed to the past and to the future of what God was doing.
Now let’s read John 8:12-20. What are the two promises that the Light of the world brings? We don’t have to walk in darkness and we have the light of life. Jesus fulfills every image and symbol of light that came before Him. There is a keyword, in this verse. Do you see it? It is “follow”. The Israelites followed a pillar of fire, the light of the Lord. Now through Jesus, we follow His light of life. Once we have His light we will no longer walk in darkness. We do live in a dark world that needs light. We must follow where the light leads. Where are you following Jesus by walking in His light? Where is He guiding you to go? Have you seen others walking in the light? What areas of your life do you feel lie you are in darkness?
Charles Spurgeon, a preacher, said, ” Dear Friend if you are afraid of light, be suspicious of yourself, for it is deceit that dreads detection.” If you are not stopping and evaluating your light and not being aware of where you are living in darkness, you won’t recognize it. We need to expose our sin, the darkness where we believe that our sin is not a big deal. It holds us back from recognizing we are getting some needs met by God. We think we are free but we are in chains from the sin. When we experience God’s light, there is a revelation that is better than our own ways. Jesus heals us from that hurt as we step into the light and run to His truth. We experience His forgiveness. We have freedom in the light of Jesus.
Lets read John 3: 19-21. What did people love and why?
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
It seems to humans that it is easier and more comfortable to sin in the dark. It is hidden. The good news is, though, there is hope for us. Jesus is the light. He is our hope. Jesus is the light that illuminates the darkness for our good and His glory. Christ not only brings the light, but he also brings the deliverance from darkness. Jesus isn’t condemning us of our sins, rather He is exposing the sin that has its chains around us.
Are you ready to let the “I AM the light of the world” expose the darkness in your life?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending us your light of the world. Thank you for the love you give us. I pray that we will let the light expose any darkness that we may live in be exposed to the bondage that we are in and break free from it.
In Jesus Name
Amen
