I Am the Light of the World,
By Brian Baer

John 8:12 - 9:5

On many occasions the religious leaders in Jerusalem tried to destroy Jesus. One attempt we have is recorded in the eighth chapter of John. What is uncertain about this passage is the name of the woman. However, we do know they were using her as a tool to try and catch Jesus off guard. They created what they thought was an impossible situation. If He condemned her which was required by law, the people would be disappointed and stop following Him. If He failed to uphold the law, He was guilty of teaching contrary to Moses and could be thrown out of the synagogue and stoned for blasphemy. Not only did Jesus uphold the law, He turned the tables and increased His popularity with common people. Immediately after He talked with the woman, He made the statement in verse 12, “...I am the Light of the World.” That statement was so rich in meaning because of where He said it and what was going on around Him. We know He was in the temple teaching but what we may not realize is that this was during the Feast of Tabernacles. In that place were located four golden candelabras, each with four golden bowls. Because of the Feast of Tabernacles, these bowls had been filled with oil and lighted. Israel was also remembering their deliverance when the pillar of fire led them through the wilderness. They would celebrate this with a torch parade. Also, this event took place early in the morning, so early that most scholars believe Jesus began teaching before sunrise. So imagine Jesus in the midst of these people teaching before sunrise. The candelabras were said to have lit the entire city significant to the pillar of fire which was the light to the Israelites. And Jesus says, “I am the light of the World.” With that statement He once again laid claim to His deity as the Son of God. As light He revealed the sin of the leaders. When He knelt down on the ground He began to write, what I feel, were the sins of the onlookers. It was like putting a letter up to a lamp to see what is inside. May we never forget when we put ourselves up to Jesus, the Light of the World, His perfection magnifies our imperfection. We soon see who we really are, nothing but dirty rotten sinners. Light is the finest figure of truth which also represents holiness and spiritual knowledge. When He said He was the light of the world, He not only laid claim to His deity, but also He had the knowledge of God. Young person, God sees every drink of alcohol. God sees every joint you smoke. God sees every pill you take. God sees every line of cocaine you snort. God sees what you do behind closed doors when your parents are home. God knows what you say to your boyfriend or girlfriend on the phone. God sees the e-mails you write. Husband, God sees who you flirt with, the websites you visit, the pornography you read.

The light revealed the sin to all men and women that day but only one was cleansed. Why? The stone holders chose to walk away from the light but the woman embraced the light and found forgiveness. The great thing about Christ is that He is not like most preachers today. Most of them will tell you what you’re doing wrong but will not give a remedy to be forgiven. The main function of light is to reveal what is otherwise hidden and when Christ said, “I am the light of the world,” He not only revealed the sin of the leaders but in verses 12 - 20 He revealed Himself, in verses 21 - 27 He revealed the Father and in verses 28 - 30 He revealed the cross. He not only exposes the hidden sin in man but shows him how the problem can ultimately be resolved.

Secondly, Jesus restored the sight of the blind man in John 9. I am a firm believer that with every miracle recorded there is a spiritual principle which can be applied. A man blind from birth was seen by the disciple. They asked if he had sinned or his parents. It was a common belief that suffering or disease was a result of a great sin. Jesus was quick to point out he was not blind because of sin, he was blind so that the works of God could be made manifest in him. This man had spent his entire life walking in darkness, physically and spiritually. The word darkness comes from the word, “skotia” which simply means dimness or obscurity. This word that Jesus used described both the state of man and the works of man. Darkness refers to the world of a natural man who does not know Jesus Christ. The natural man walks in ignorance. The natural man stumbles and gropes around in the world. He knows nothing other than the things of this world as he sees them. Darkness also symbolizes being unprepared and a lack of watchfulness. Carnal men love darkness. Christ was wanting to show those around that He meant what He said in John 8:12, “...He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Jesus bent down again, not to write, but to spit and make some clay. He put the clay on the man’s eyes and told him to go and wash. I asked God to show me why Jesus put clay on the man’s eyes. The Word of God tells us that man was “formed from the dust of the earth.” What God revealed to me was that Jesus created new eyes for the blind man. The crowd was not convinced the miracle really took place until the former blind man silenced them when he said, “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” When someone becomes a child of God they are delivered from darkness and ignorance. At one time he had no idea what he was, where he was, or where he was going. He is delivered of his unbelief, and ultimately he is delivered from his sin, for he sees Christ and enjoys the blessed promise of seeing Him again. On that day there will be no need for candles or sun for the Lamb of God will still be the Light of the World.

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