The Light of the World
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12). What does it mean that Jesus is the light of the world? It means that Jesus shines the light of God's salvation upon the whole world.
A child's nightlight illumines the room so he doesn't trip in the dark, or so he doesn't get scared of the dark. Headlights on your car illumine the road so you don't crash. The sun illumines the earth so we can live on it fruitfully. Jesus illumines the way to God so that we can know, love, and serve Him in this life and the next. Jesus is the light of the world, the gracious light of God's forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.
Why do we need the light of salvation? Because without it, we walked in darkness and slavery to sin. Without it, a cloud of divine judgement hovered over us because of the holiness and righteousness of God. Jesus takes the cloud away. Jesus delivers us from darkness. He said, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The Bible also says, "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light [9] (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), [10] and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8-10).
I am thankful that Jesus died for me and rose again. I am thankful that Jesus saved me and changed my heart by the mercy and power of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote about our salvation, "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).
Praise God for His magnificent love. "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
The light of salvation can be yours through faith in Christ. Turn to Jesus in faith and, based on his sacrificial death in the place of sinners and based on the reality and power of His resurrection from the dead, be saved from sin, death, and judgment.
On Jesus' death in the place of sinners: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).
On Jesus' resurrection as the power of salvation: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:13).
On being saved through faith in Jesus: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
On the centrality of the forgiveness of sins: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
Be forgiven. Be reconciled to God. Receive the gift of eternal life. Be delivered from the tyranny of sin and death. In other words, come to God through faith in Jesus. He is the light of the world, and in Him, sinners like me and you can enjoy the light of fellowship with God for time and eternity.
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12).