The Light is Jesus

The tension and controversy of who Christ is, is growing each day that passes. Some who are hearing Christ are submitting to His teachings and authority, while others are growing more and more hostile. It is within this hostile environment that Christ again confronts the lost with their need of His redeeming grace!

John 8:12–30 NKJV

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” 20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. 21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?” 23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to 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 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.” 27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then 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 of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

1. The Declaration of Christ (v. 12)

A. A Characteristic of God

1 John 1:5 NKJV

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.

B. A Contrast to Religion

In their current state, they were still in the bondage and darkness of their sin. The light of Christ could change that!

C. A Consideration of Context

According to verse 20, Christ is in the treasury part of the temple, and within that section there were candelabras burning to represent the pillar of fire that lead the children of Israel through the wilderness. The light here, reminded them of the presence, protection and guidance of God. Christ is saying here, that He is the light. No longer do they need to remember back to God’s presence, protection, and guidance, It is here and found in Christ!

2. The Dismay of the Pharisees (vv. 13-20)

A. Accusations of Carnality (vv. 13, 15, 19)

The accusations of the Pharisees were based on their fleshly perspectives.

B. Answers from Divinity (vv. 14, 16-18, 20)

The answers Christ gave proved His deity.

3. The Destination of the Lost (vv. 21-27)

A. Differing Origins (vv. 21-23)

John 1:1, 2, 14a “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

B. Destiny Observed (vv. 24-27)

Apart from faith in Christ, man is lost and separated from God.

John 14:6 NKJV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

4. The Divine Nature of the Son (vv. 28-30)

A. Omniscience (v. 28)

Christ knew what would happen to Him in just a few short months.

B. Deity (v. 29)

The Son of God was not left alone.

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

C. Belief (v. 30)

For centuries, the lost have been coming to Christ for forgiveness and freedom from their sin.

Acts 16:30–33 NKJV

30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

Conclusion:

Jesus Christ alone is the Light of the World. To the lost, He is the only light you need. You will not find the presence, protection, and guidance of God in anything or anyone else; and apart from Him, you will die in your sins.

For the believer, Jesus is still the only light you need. Continue to seek His presence, protection, and guidance in a deeper relationship with Him.