Jesus ... the Light of the World

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.” (John 8:12-15 ESV).

 

I must confess that as I have grown older, I have also grown more disoriented by the darkness. That is especially true in those moments when I wake at night and take a moment to find and put my glasses on. It is disconcerting and somewhat frightening. I have easily compensated by keeping lights on in the house. Even when I travel, I will always have a night light with me to provide for that little bit of security and comfort. Darkness is like that. It should not be a wonder that Jesus refers to Himself as “the Light of the World.”

 

This returns us to the Christmas story. This baby who was born in the manger in Bethlehem, the young man who grew up in a carpentry shop in Nazareth, and the man who died on the cross in Jerusalem are one and the same. This is Jesus, the light of the world. Jesus is the light of justice and the bright morning star. He is the light that illuminates humanity, for humanity, with all its wisdom, is cradled in darkness. But Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (v. 12).

 

Without Jesus, people are still held captive in this world ruled by darkness. Even though people may be refined by culture and filled with a sense of intense religiosity, they are still held prisoners of deceit. But Jesus came to liberate us from the realm of night. He is the light of the world, and those who follow him do not walk in darkness; rather, their life is like the light of a new dawn that shines brighter and brighter till it breaks forth into a perfect day.

 

When Jesus, through his Spirit, comes into your life, you are transformed and you receive a new heart, a new mind, a new name, a new family, and a new citizenship. You become a child of the light, you live in the light, and you walk safely and securely toward the light of heaven. Celebrate that as we move ever closer to this Christmas. Pray that the Light will provide the close and punctuation of a year filled with uncertainty and tragedy. Like walking an abandoned street in the cold snowy night… follow the light home!