The Light of the World

There is so much to comment on in John 8 that it is hard to restrain myself. The story about the woman caught in adultery (textually suspect as it is) teaches us a great deal about mercy. At the end of the chapter, Jesus' words about being "I AM" give us a clear statement of his own claim to divinity. But what strikes me as I read this passage today are Jesus' words in verse 12. Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

I could write a lot about what the metaphor of light teaches us about Jesus. But that is not what strikes me as I come to the passage today. What strikes me as I reread these familiar words is how the light is turned on. Jesus says, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12, ESV). What is the key to God's light in our lives? Is it a moment of decision for Jesus? Is it listening to Christian radio? Is it hanging out in church? Those things might all be good, but they are not the root source of God's light in our lives. What is? Jesus tells us: obedience. We have the light of life when we follow Him.

A lot of Christians feel like they are in darkness now. Even though they exercise faith, they have depression and hopelessness and fear. Could it be that we have darkened our own lives by a failure to follow? If we want to have light in our lives, we need to have the courage to pick up our crosses and follow Him. We need to walk as Jesus did.