"I am the light of the world.." - John 8:12 (TPT)

Jesus is being smart when speaking with the Pharisees for He is not stooping down to their level and judging according to the behavior the woman caught in the act of adultery which is the scene which precedes this dialogue, Jesus made a conscious choice not to stoop down to their level and look at his woman’s circumstances alone, but addressed the heart matter which is more relevant. 

The Greek word to describe this is an adjective  anamartētos, it describes the impossibility of being without sin apart from Jesus.

Jesus never condemned this woman but extended grace to her, she was a broken woman who was no different than we are, she only wanted some type of happiness in her life in some type of relationship with a man who was not her husband. No detail was given as to the condition of her marriage to her husband, but the assumption is suggested that it was not a good relationship which was why she was seeking comfort elsewhere. 

Now she met the savior who was different than the scribes and Pharisees, for He didn’t condemn her according to the law, and judge her for her obvious transgressions but instead demonstrated love and grace by recognizing what was missing in her life.

Jesus states “I am the light of the world,” he invokes the name of God here “I am,” which perturbs the Pharisees for Jesus is making Himself equal with God and testifying of Himself. The Pharisees are quick to defend their understanding of the Holy Scriptures and denounce Jesus, but He remained firm in who He was and didn’t let their prideful attitudes affect his position.

Standing firm amid naysayers is part of being a Christian, it builds character and help our resolve to hold our ground even though there may be someone challenging us who wants us to give up and go home.

I am so glad that Jesus is the light of the world for I could never be a Christian on my own, He gives us the strength to stand among our detractors who want nothing more than to take us down and silence our voices of faith.

“those who embrace me will experience life-giving light,” those who embrace Jesus will always have grace made available to them to move beyond this natural world and to know what it means to know God’s love, the light that Jesus speaks of here is Himself. As we grow in the grace of Christ we are filled with His presence and it changes us and draws us into a deeper relationship with Him. As we grow in Christ we become aware that we are more than just ourselves we have the power of Christ abiding in us.

“they will never walk in darkness,” darkness is a place where the world has its grip on us, It is also the place where all of us have come from, a place of hopelessness and fear. The world in its way has perverted what love is and has turned it into something that we do rather than something that we are. Jesus embodied the love of God, He is who he said He was and that by receiving him we are known by God and can personally know him. Embracing Him will reveal His love in our lives and we can experience it first hand.

The fact that Jesus makes the statement that “I am light of the world” only proves that He is who He says he is, no one else would have the audacity to make this claim if it were not true. 

The Pharisees were immediately offended and said, “You’re just boasting about yourself! Since we only have your word on this, it makes your testimony invalid!” John 8:13 (TPT)

The Pharisees were right to be offended, because they needed confirmation of the truth of who Jesus was not just His word, but their pride wouldn’t allow it.

Jesus responded, “Just because I am the one making these claims doesn’t mean they’re invalid. For I absolutely know who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I’m going. But you Pharisees have no idea about what I’m saying. For you’ve set yourselves up as judges of others based on outward appearances, but I certainly never judge others in that way. For I discern the truth. And I am not alone in my judgments, for my Father and I have the same understanding in all things, and he has sent me to you. Isn’t it written in the law of Moses that the testimony of two men is trustworthy? Then what I say about who I am is true, for I am not alone in my testimony—my Father is the other witness, and we testify together of the truth.” John 8:14-18 (TPT)

The claims of Jesus stand on their merit, either He is speaking the truth and He is the light of the world as He said He is, or He is a liar. He has proven that He met the criteria of law to meet the burden of proof for His statements and legally He is acquitted of all doubt. 

Where are you regarding Jesus? Does He meet your burden of proof? Is He the light of your world or does pride (like the Pharisees) keep you from seeing the truth of who He is?  

Jesus always brings light and life to us and to our world, that is the love of the Father for us, that part of Jesus’ nature never changes.  You are always welcomed back into the family of God with open arms and received and sons and daughters of the King, it is our inheritance.

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett