~ The Authentic Light of the World ~
(A 10-part series on John 7:11–John 8:59)
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.”
The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
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. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come. (John 8:12-20)
THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE , O.T. and N.T., light is often used as an image conveying the power, wisdom, and presence of God. The earth was hidden in darkness at creation, until God said, “‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Gen. 1:2) And so time begins, separated into dark and light. The Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psa. 119:105) And so wisdom is elevated, bringing the light of true reason to the mind of man. John’s gospel says of Jesus, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) However, he then immediately follows, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5)
And so we comprehend the distinction between Jesus and the Pharisees when he states, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees respond, “Your testimony is not valid.” (John 8:12) Paul elsewhere describes their willful self-delusion in this way: “But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.” (2 Cor. 3:14-15) The seemingly innocuous inclusion of the site of this scene as being “near the place where the offerings were put” (John 8:20b) may well indicate one significant reason for their self-induced blindness. Paul speaks to this aspect: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Tim. 6:10) More than simply unable, the Pharisees are willfully unfit to understand this metaphor of light, and so are much further at a loss to even begin to grasp the meaning and the truth of Jesus’ claims of parenthood. And that loss will be great; Israel will fail as a nation because of it, as the direct outcome of Pharisees’ dogged pursuit down the path of their own annihilation.
But Jesus spoke “to the people” (John 8:12), not just to the Pharisees. While not recorded in this particular scene, earlier and later in this narrative many believed in him. The same words rejected by those who opposed him—” You do not know me or my Father; if you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:19b, c)—others present would ponder, and some would come to accept his message.
Jesus speaks the same message today as he did then, and has done so across the ages since. It is an enduring message, as all great truth is. Many people’s minds are still dulled by the numerous ways in which the enemy of their souls darkens their minds and dulls their senses to Jesus’ message; his foe has a single-minded mission to accomplish: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10) Nevertheless, for those crying out for sight, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matt. 4:16) Those willfully existing in twilight are well-admonished by Paul: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Eph. 5:14) It’s as clear as night and day.
Q. Am I out of darkness, past twilight, and into the light of Jesus?
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