The Gospel of John
John 8:12–30
I Am the Light of the World
Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passages of Scripture. Reread them. From memory, determine the central points.
- The focus of this passage is the stark difference between darkness and light. And this has nothing to do with color, but about has to do with the absence of light.
- In Genesis chapter 1 we find that darkness was universal and complete, then God created light. “And God saw that the light was good” (Genesis 1:3).
- Jesus, very likely, while still in the Temple and surrounded by the crowds, said, “I am the light of the world.” We note that like His statement, “I am the bread of life” the “I am” actually, “ I, I am” takes us once again to Exodus 3:14, the very name of God. And the name has to do with Who He is.
- The Pharisees complain that Jesus is merely bearing witness about Himself and thus His testimony is not to be accepted.
- Essentially Jesus replies that the judgment rendered by His opposers is based on ignorance. The fact is, they do not know where He comes from and who He is.
- Jesus points out that He is speaking truth because he has two witnesses, His own and His Fathers.
- The core of the issue is that the religious leaders do not know the Father though they represent the God of Israel.
- Then, Jesus speaks truth to them, a truth of utmost importance: by rejecting Him they are consigning themselves to eternal death.
- Indeed, Jesus goes on, if they continue to reject Him, they will die in their sins. And this truth is the Father’s truth.
- His opposers did not understand, and Jesus speaks of His being “lifted up” or His crucifixion, and then they will know.
- Again Jesus declares that He does nothing except those things that please the Father.
- The result of His preaching is that many believed in Him.