A Light Unlike Any Other

Introduction

During the Festival of Booths each year, Jews from all over the world would gather in Jerusalem. Several thousand people would gather for days and there were accompanying rituals. One of those rituals was that each evening, priests would climb up ladders to the top of massive lampstands. They would light these oil lamps and the entire Temple complex and a lot of the city would be lit. This symbolized the presence of God acting as a light to the Jewish people, emanating from the Temple. Let’s look at our passage and see how Jesus taught that he would now be the light of the world, a spiritual fulfilment of this practice.

Read passage:

John 8:12–30 CSB

12 Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” 14 “Even if I testify about myself,” Jesus replied, “my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I’m going. But you don’t know where I come from or where I’m going. 15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one. 16 And if I do judge, my judgment is true, because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am the one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.” 19 Then they asked him, “Where is your Father?” “You know neither me nor my Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” 20 He spoke these words by the treasury, while teaching in the temple. But no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come. 21 Then he said to them again, “I’m going away; you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I’m going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said again, “He won’t kill himself, will he, since he says, ‘Where I’m going, you cannot come’?” 23 “You are from below,” he told them, “I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” 25 “Who are you?” they questioned. “Exactly what I’ve been telling you from the very beginning,” Jesus told them. 26 “I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the one who sent me is true, and what I have heard from him—these things I tell the world.” 27 They did not know he was speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things. 29 The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Let’s pray:

Father, we are grateful that you have inspired your Word. And we ask today that you continue to build this church into a body that is centered upon your very word. Help us to have a culture that is informed by, built upon, grounded in, humbled by, and saturated with your word. I pray that we are a people who bleed bible. As we dive into this very passage, draw near to us as we draw near to you. We ask that the Spirit would open our eyes to see our sin for what it is, and to appreciate Christ for who he and what he has done for us. We ask that you challenge us, convict us, and embolden us through your preached word today. Now, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.

Earlier in this sermon series, I used an illustration that I want to recycle today. I want you all to imagine you are in a room with lights on the ceiling, very typically. You lay flat on your back, and a thick, black, curtain is spread tightly between you and any source of light. What would happen? You’d go from being in a normal, lighted room to being shrouded in darkness. That’s kind of where we are as we encounter the gospels. We are in darkness, but dwelling in the area where there is actually light. We just can’t see it. In this illustration, the light is Christ, and this veil is our sin. Because of our sin, our sight is clouded. We need new eyes. When we start encountering Christ in the Scriptures and we experience new life, we get new eyes. And the Scriptures start poking holes in that veil, piercing the darkness with biblical truth about who Jesus is. Each time a hole is poked, more light shines through. Before we know it, light has flooded the darkness and we can bask in the glory of who Christ is. Light drives out darkness. And the light of Christ is a light unlike any other.

Today, our sermon will find its main point in the very first words uttered by Christ in this section: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” As Jesus said this to the Pharisees and the Jewish people in his area, a match was lit. Calling himself the light of the world apparently set them off, and they begin to accuse Jesus. Based upon his self-attestation that he is the light of the world, they argue with him. But our main point today is this: Because Jesus has come, the light shines in darkness. It’s that simple. And in our text, we will see three different ways that the light of Christ shines: The Light Shines in Testimony; The Light Shines in Judgment; and the Light Shines in Salvation.

Before we dive into those three points, however, let’s see what exactly Jesus was claiming when he says, “I am the light of the world.” This wasn’t just a passing phrase. Light is a metaphor used time and time again throughout all of Scripture, both in the Old and the New Testament. In Exodus 13-14, the glory of the LORD led the people as a pillar of fire (shining light), guiding them and protecting them. In Psalm 27, the Psalmist says that the LORD is his light and salvation. In Psalm 119, the Word of God is a light to our path. In Ezekiel 1, the glory of God has a brilliant light all around it. In Habakkuk 3, God’s brilliance is like light, rays are flashing from his hand. In Isaiah 49, the suffering servant of God was to be a light to the nations, proclaiming God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. In the coming age, the full manifestation of the God’s kingdom, Isaiah says that the LORD will be the everlasting light of the people. Zechariah 14 says that on that day — the final day — there will be no natural light, for sunlight and moonlight will diminish. The light will be the continuous glory of God. Time and time again the LORD is both a picture of and a physical light to the people. His glory is represented by resplendent light. He is the light of the world. So what Jesus was saying here wasn’t neutral. This statement in verse 12 shapes the rest of the passage. He was claiming to be the LORD, Yahweh, the Creator, the Long-Awaited Messiah. This wasn’t a passing phrase: This was a claim to be God himself.

Here’s why this was a big deal: If he’s wrong, it’s blasphemy of the highest degree. If he’s right, he’s to be worshiped, followed, and served for all of one’s days. Jesus was telling them that it was him all along: He is God. He was the light guiding and protecting God’s people in the wilderness. He was the light all along. So they demand a testimony. This message was offensive and blasphemous to the Pharisees, because they did not think he was the Messiah. That brings us to the first way we see Christ’s light shines: In Testimony.

The Light Shines in Testimony

Christ declares himself to be the light of the world, and that demands some answering in his context. You can’t just say something like that and not back it up. But in a Jewish system, one’s testimony about oneself was not valid. Even Jesus had given credence to that idea in chapter 5. In essence, the Pharisees are saying, “Anyone can claim any number of outlandish things about himself. You can’t testify about yourself and expect us to believe it.” And we can relate to this, right? When we feel accused or backed into a corner, of course we will paint ourselves in better light than we really are. This law existed so that people couldn’t get away with that. There had to be more testimony from other sources to back up one’s claims.

Now, Jesus’s claims were not outlandish. They were true. But the Pharisees didn’t think so. So they ask him to bring another witness. And Jesus is about to oblige them with a powerhouse witness. First, though, he wants to get into his background. He starts to shine a light on his own testimony and the truth of his claims. He says that his testimony is true because he knows where he came from and where he’s going. Where had he come from? God. Where was he going? Back to God the Father. Specifically, he had come from the presence of the Father and was returning to the Father’s presence. We see that in John 13:3. (“3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God.”) But they didn’t know that. That would require them to think about Jesus’s claims spiritually. But they were only thinking about how they could “get him.” They wanted him to substantiate his claims about himself in a legal manner and according to their rules. They wanted to establish truth according to their standards. They refused to accept that the one who is Truth was speaking to them. Their rejection of Jesus as the light of the world led them to a misinformed judgment of his ministry and his claims.

He was above their rules. The truth of Jesus’s claims was his Divinity and his fellowship with God the Father. His Words were true because he is God. They were attempting to judge the Son of God by human standards, or according to the flesh. Again, Jesus’s main concern in his teaching ministry and defense of his teaching ministry is to show that he is God the Son and glorify himself and the Father. The testimony of the Son is to show that he is the undisputed Light of the world.

Now, we need to address Jesus’s statement here in verse 15: “I judge no one.” This is another famous verse used by those who want to live however they want and not feel judged by Christ and his call to holiness. He’s not saying, “I don’t care how you live. I won’t judge you.” We have to look at these types of statements in their context. And in this context, Jesus is talking with a group of Pharisees who are making judgments about his person and work based on human standards. Jesus doesn’t judge in the same way that his opponents do, by appealing to natural criteria, according to the flesh.

In fact, he answers this in the next statement: If I make judgments (which he does), his judgment is true. He is uniquely situated to judge the eternal state of human souls, and the behavior of humans because he is divine and shares in judgment with the Father. Remember: The will of the Son and the will of the Father are perfectly aligned. They asked for two testimonies to shed light on this seemingly outrageous claim, and Jesus provides it: His testimony and the Father’s testimony. If he claims that he is the light of the world and that anyone who follows him will have the light of life, then that is true. The Father testifies the same.

That begs the question for them: Who is your father? Rather, who are you claiming to be your father? They were wanting him to bring out a physical father so they could have another physical witness. But Jesus responds and says, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” They did not having spiritual, saving knowledge of the Father, because the only Way to the Father is through the Son, Jesus.

This is how Jesus was shining the light through his testimony: His testimony is this: That he is the Son of the Living God and has come to accomplish salvation for those who believe in his name. His testimony about the Father sending him here and that those who know him know the Father is an essential. It’s the light shining in darkness. But the Pharisees, veiled in sinful darkness, were unable to understand what Jesus was doing.

We have no excuses. Paul lays that out clearly in Romans one. Jesus has come bearing witness about himself. His testimony shines light on the sin-stained darkness of this world. How are you seeing Jesus? Has the Spirit opened your eyes that were blinded by sin so that you can see him according to his own testimony? If so, then you are one of those who will never walk in darkness. You walk in light. If not, you stand under the judgment. And that brings us to the second point today: That the light of Christ shines in judgment.

The Light Shines in Judgment

After this issue of witness is answered, Jesus makes yet another statement: “I am going away, you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I’m going, you cannot come.” Why would he go this direction?

Earlier in the passage, Jesus talked about “...I know where I came from and where I’m going. But you don’t know where I come from or where I’m going.” So he was continuing that theme here. He was talking about his going away after his death. He would eventually go to the cross and lay down his life. He would then be resurrected from the dead and ascend to the Father’s right hand. After this, they would still be looking for him, not for salvation, but catch him. Again, they misinterpreted Jesus words. They were thinking on a natural level: He’s talking about suicide, they thought. However, Jesus was talking about his resurrection and ascension. They were thinking “of this world.” But Jesus was not from this world and he would be returning to where he came from.

But they would continue to look for him as accusers, not followers. Their unbelief would continue, and even up until this day, the Jewish leaders do not believe in Christ as the Son of God. And what happens to those who do not believe in the resurrected Christ as the Son of God? They die in their sins. If you do not believe that Jesus is who he said he is and did what he came to do for the salvation of all who believe, then you will die in your sins. You will experience what we call the Judgment.

And this act of judgment — of the just wrath of God being poured out on those not in Christ — shines the light of Christ. For as the light of Christ represents God’s glory, so God is glorified through judgment. “Therefore I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” This is a statement of judgment. This is a statement that says there is an in and an out in the kingdom of God. This is a statement that says some are in the light and some are still in darkness. And as a church, we really believe this! We believe that if you do not believe in Christ as Lord, you will die in your sins. Just as he said here.

What does this mean? All people must either believe in Christ or reject Christ. Christ is talking to the rejecters here. Christ was heading toward resurrection. He was heading toward what we call glorification: A state of his being where he was perfected after being dead. (This did not add to his perfection, but was a glorified body that had been resurrected from the dead). All those in Christ will one day be glorified as our dead bodies are raised and glorified for eternity. But those not in Christ do not experience glorification. “Where I am going, you cannot come.” You cannot have the blessings of salvation without belief in the Savior. You cannot be glorified alongside the Savior if you are not justified by faith. Unless you experience salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, you will die in your sins. “For it is appointed once for all men to die, then comes the judgment” says the writer of Hebrews. You cannot come into Christ’s kingdom without acknowledging him as king. He is exactly who he said he is from the beginning. His teachings are right and true. He did not come to lead us astray or confuse us: He came to lead us into life and life everlasting. But if you do not receive him in faith, you will die in your sin. Christ comes as the light in the darkness, and his light shines forth in glorious judgment. You see, the thing about light is it shows just how dark the darkness can be. The beauty and brilliance of Christ shows the darkness and filth of sin. And light and darkness cannot abide each other. If you die in your sin, you cannot enter the presence of God.

The light shines in judgment. You can avoid this judgment from God if you will today repent of your sins and turn to him. If you have questions about that, or how to receive Christ in faith, please talk with me after the service. I would love to take time to tell you more about how you can experience the light that has come into the world and has shown both in judgment and in salvation. And it is to that point that we finally turn this morning.

The Light Shines in Salvation

Look at verse 30: As he was saying these things, many believed in him. They had faith in him. This was the very moment when several people passed from darkness into light, and from death into eternal life. But let’s see what was the final word that sets this up, in the verses directly preceding this statement.

“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own.” Remember that Jesus was explaining to the Pharisees that he was one with the Father, and was sent to do the will of the Father. He had explained this before to them, but was going through it again. What does he mean here by “lift up the Son of Man”? This is a clear statement that points forward to the cross. Jesus would be “lifted up” on the cross, literally. After nailing him to the cross, Jesus would be actually lifted up to die. And when that happened, Jesus is saying here that this would be the final word, the final proof needed that he was who he was claiming to be. This was the moment where the veil was torn and the gulf between God and man was spanned by Jesus. The cross was the very moment where Jesus’s blood was spilled and atonement was made for sinful people. This was the moment where the perfect sacrifice was made once and for all. The cross is proof not only of God’s love for his children, but that Christ is the once and forever sacrifice who came to do the will of the Father. As I said a few weeks ago, if you are in Christ, the Father willed you salvation and the Son accomplished it.

The cross was the Father’s plan. There was no plan b. God willed that Jesus would be lifted up on a cross to die a death deserved by sinners like you and me, in public shame.

At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light

And the burden of my soul was rolled away

It was there by faith I received my sight

And now I am happy all the day.

The light has shone forth in salvation at the cross.

Conclusion

Jesus has come not to make salvation possible for people who might believe, but to accomplish salvation for those whom the Father gave him. And believer, today, you can be sure that he has accomplished your salvation. He has come as the light of the world, and that light shines brightest at the cross of Christ. The light shines in Christ’s testimony about himself and his work, in judgment of those who do not repent and turn to him in faith, and in salvation as he finished his work for us on the cross.

Now, the light has come into the world, and we have been given the responsibility as the church to bear the light forward. In Revelation, Jesus threatens to take the Ephesian church’s lampstand. Why? They had abandoned their first love and had lost their public witness to Christ. Jesus is the light of the world and his churches are lampstands, emanating light into darkness. What does this look for us? It means that we are called — and made — to be a light-bearing church.

Founded upon the Word of God

Existing for the Worship of God

On Mission to Expand the Kingdom of God

That’s your calling this morning. We have been called into a kingdom of light, and we should desperately want people to go from darkness into light. We can only bear witness insofar as we are founded on the Word of God, worshiping God with all that we have, and living together on mission for his kingdom. Let’s encourage one another to do that every single day in the life of Christ Fellowship. Light has shone on our darkened hearts, because of God’s grace. Let’s share that grace with others in our community, on our campus, with our families, with our coworkers, and our neighbors.

Let’s pray.