The Light of the World

MP: Jesus is the light of the world who reveals God’s truth, exposes the darkness of sin and offers life to all that follow him.

The Declaration of Identity (John 8:12)

Jesus speaks to the crowd with his second “I am” statement. His proclaimation concerning who he is, is remincent of the Ego Emi, that we find in the Old Testament.

When Moses speaks to God in the burning bush.

While the ending of the feast of the tabernacle provides light all around through lighting of candles and oil lamps. Jesus here is referring to the Old test. understanding of who the messiah will be. Isa 49:6

Isaiah 49:6 ESV

he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 60:19–22 ESV

The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.

The light of God would come and be the everlasting light that would transform the darkness into light.

Psalm 27:1 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Darkness is contrasted to the light. John used this earlier in the gospel.

John 1:4–5 ESV

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

and we see here the contrasting light to the darkness of the pharisees John 1:9-11

John 1:9–11 ESV

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

His offer to those around him is this follow the light and have life. If you dont follow the light you continue to walk in darkness.

Darkness is contrasted to the purity of light. Darkness is seen in the hearts of man that are filled with sin and death.

Just as God in genesis 1 made a distinction between the light and the dark so does he here. Jesus stands and provides light that sheds onto the hearts of men and shows their depravity and their spiritual ignorance.

True spiritual wisdom is found in Jesus who shines his light in our spiritual darkness.

Key Verse: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Christ-Centered Truth: Jesus boldly declares Himself as the light, offering life to those who follow Him.

Application: Depend on Jesus as the divine light that leads us out of darkness.

The Doubt of the Pharisees (John 8:13-20)

AS the light is being shone into the darkness the Pharisees miss the brightness surrounding them. They offer Jesus a legal challenge that is surrounded in the testimony of two witnesses.

They are trying to undermine Jesus’s claim of himself because there hasnt been other witnesses.

Jesus responds conerning his testimony based on His own trinitarian nature. His activity is defined by his relationship with the Father, just as the fathers is made known by his relationship to the Son

They were not able to know and trust Jesus’s testimony not because it Jesus was wrong but because they did not know Jesus nor the father.

They were judging by human standards. or by the flesh. They were not judging by control of the spirit.

JEsus does not appeal to a fleshy criteria of judgement

Jesus judges only as he hears from the Father, and because of this his judgment is just.

Key Verse: “You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true” (vv. 15-16).

Christ-Centered Truth: The Pharisees doubted and dismissed Jesus, clinging to worldly judgments rather than divine truth.

Application: Don’t let pride or preconceived notions blind you to Christ’s authority and truth.

Don’t Let Pride or Preconceived Notions Blind You to Christ’s Authority and Truth

The Pharisees’ Example of Pride

The Pharisees in John 8 exemplify the danger of spiritual pride. They dismissed Jesus’ claims because He didn’t fit their preconceived expectations of the Messiah. Instead of seeking to understand or humbling themselves before His teaching, they relied on their status, traditions, and limited understanding of Scripture.

Preconceived Notions About Christ

The Pharisees judged Jesus by outward appearances and human standards, such as His lack of formal rabbinical training, His Galilean origin, and His association with sinners. Their rigid traditions and interpretations of the law blinded them to the truth standing before them.

The Problem of Pride in Our Lives

Pride causes us to approach God on our terms rather than His. It tempts us to hold onto control, resist conviction, and refuse correction. Preconceived notions may include thinking that God must act in a way that aligns with our desires, timing, or understanding, leading to frustration or disbelief when He doesn’t.

How Christ Confronts Pride

Jesus gently but firmly exposed the Pharisees’ spiritual blindness, pointing them to their need for Him. He calls us to humility, reminding us that we cannot rightly judge spiritual truths by worldly standards (John 7:24).

Application for Believers

Examine your heart: Are there areas where pride or assumptions about God might be preventing you from fully embracing His truth? Submit to His authority: Trust in Jesus’ words and actions, even when they challenge your expectations or understanding. Be teachable: Approach God’s Word with humility, seeking to learn and grow rather than confirm what you already believe.

Application for Non-Believers

Don’t let skepticism or past experiences keep you from exploring Jesus’ claims. Approach Him with an open heart, willing to see Him for who He truly is. Recognize that God’s ways are often different from human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and let that truth lead you to awe rather than rejection.

Illustrations

Biblical Example: Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) was blinded by his pride and zeal for the law, but his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus transformed his understanding. Modern Example: Someone rejecting the gospel because it doesn’t align with their personal ideals, only to later discover the depth and wisdom of God’s plan when they open their heart to Him.

Encouragement

Jesus is patient and merciful, even toward those who initially resist Him. His light breaks through the darkest pride and most stubborn misconceptions if we’re willing to let it shine.

This fleshed-out explanation connects the Pharisees’ pride and preconceived notions to challenges we face today while pointing to Christ’s authority and truth as the solution. Would you like to explore a particular example or Scripture to emphasize this point further?

The Danger of Unbelief (John 8:21-24)

Key Verse: “Unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins” (v. 24).

Christ-Centered Truth: Rejecting Christ as the light leads to spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

Application: Take seriously the call to believe in Jesus as the only way to salvation.

The Demonstration of Christ’s Glory (John 8:25-30)

Key Verse: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he” (v. 28).

Christ-Centered Truth: Jesus’ crucifixion is the ultimate demonstration of His divine glory and love for sinners.

Application: Look to the cross as the supreme revelation of God’s light and respond with faith and worship.

Conclusion: Living in the Light

Depend on Christ as the light.

Dwell in His truth daily.

Declare His light to a world in darkness.