John 8:12 Life and Light
Jesus spoke to them again. Despite the attempt to arrest him, entrap him, and denigrate him, Jesus persists in reaching out to them. The Lord’s patience with us is two edged. On one side, it is grace to us so that we will believe. On the other, it is justice, not delayed, but making sure that those who reject are firm/established/confirmed in their unbelief so that justice may be complete/unquestioned.
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World.” This is one of the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. It reflects the name of God given to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14. (https://www.gotquestions.org/I-AM-WHO-I-AM-Exodus-3-14.html) (https://www.gotquestions.org/YHWH-tetragrammaton.html)
The Greek says, “phos kosmos” Phos, light reveals, like the end of a detective story, the culmination. Kosmos, in its largest sense, is everything created, the universe. Jesus is the culmination/revelation/apex of the whole shebang. He is not just the reason for the season, he is The Reason there are any seasons, in any sense whatsoever.
The Bible says a lot about light. Read these in context.
Genesis 1:3 “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”
John 1:4 “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
1 John 1:5 “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Daniel 2:22 “He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.”
Luke 2:32 “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
People need light. Without light life is impossible, even in deep caverns the things that live there are dependent on the energy of the sun. No light, no life. Previously, Jesus compared himself to water, another life requirement. Jesus is trying to point out that he is necessary to our lives. More so than water or even light. No Jesus no life. Know Jesus know life.
What is it to walk in darkness? It is bumping into things you can’t see or avoid. It is stubbing toes or hitting shins against the unknown. It is doubt, confusion, disorientation. It is relationships that fail without knowing why. It is self-injury without hope of avoidance. It is tripping on every stupid pitfall the world has to offer and dying in the dark unknown and unknowing. We need light.
Into the darkness Jesus shines and those who are willing follow the light. With light we know where we stand and can walk without falling. With light we can know and be known. We can see. Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
brotherpayne 