What does “Jesus is the Light of the World” really mean??? We throw around the fact that Jesus is the Light of the World, especially around Christmas time. It is often on many Christmas cards. I was even thinking about putting it on mine this year, since we just studied it in context of all of John 8 this week in Bible study.
John 8:12-18 12 When Jesus spoke again
to the people, he said, “I am the light of
the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your
own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I
know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I
come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by
human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But
if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the
Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is
written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I
am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
Jesus had
previously declared that He is the bread of life (John 6), which means He is the
only one that can provide true sustenance, satisfaction, contentment and joy for
this life and for all eternity! In John 8, Jesus reveals He’s the Light of the
World. He’s the only one who offers absolute truth about God, life, sin and
eternity. He’s the only one who is God, sent by God. Only He can judge sin
perfectly and provide direction for life.
What does it
mean to you that Jesus is the Light of the World? How are you and I using His
light? Are you and I allowing His light to illuminate sin in our lives so we
can walk less in darkness and more in abundance of life?
