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This time of year, homes and business sparkle with Christmas lights. I especially love the little white lights and my lit-up Christmas village. My husband and I were recently at a resort in the Colorado mountains for his company Christmas party. The resort and village were adorned with thousands of Christmas lights everywhere. It was beautiful.
But, as beautiful as Christmas lights are, there is a light that is better than any other light that has ever been or ever will be.
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.[1]
John 8:12
Several years ago, I came across a Names of Jesus advent by https://lacewingcreative.com. It has helped me reflect on Jesus not just as the babe in a manger or even as Savior, but on who He is and what He has done as revealed in His many names.
In John’s gospel, Jesus said of Himself, “I am the light of the world.” Let’s unpack this name. First, I am by itself is worth noting. The same Greek words, egō eimi, are used in John 8:58: “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (emphasis added). There is some speculation as to the use of these Greek words and whether they have the same meaning as the Hebrew in Exodus 3:14: “God said to Moses, I am who I am.” What we do know is that in John 8:58, Jesus’ words were such that the Jews picked up stones to throw at him. It is understood that Jesus was claiming to be God, connecting back to Exodus 3:14. It is possible, then, that in John 8:12, Jesus also claimed to be God.
John later writes: “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5, emphasis added). God is light. Jesus says He is the light of the world. Therefore, Jesus is God. This should never stop astounding us. Jesus who was fully God willingly took on flesh. He left the glory of Heaven to be born as a baby to a poor couple marred by shame. He lived enduring all that we experience – hunger, thirst, tiredness, sickness, suffering, rejection, temptation.
Why would Jesus take on flesh and leave the glory of Heaven? The answer is in the name Jesus gives us – “the light of the world.” Let’s look at John 1.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.[2]
John 1:4-9
Jesus is not only the Creator of physical life (John 1:3), but He is the only source of spiritual or eternal life. Redemption comes only through Jesus, the light of the world. David captured the meaning of Jesus as the light in Psalm 27:1a: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
John quoting Jesus in the second half of verse 8:12 says: “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus also stated about Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Those in Christ, the light of the world, have life.
But there is more. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). From John, we know that Jesus is the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. He is the way we must follow both for salvation and sanctification (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Let’s examine one more aspect of Jesus as the light of the world. David Guzik writes: “Light was an important symbol in the Feast of Tabernacles. During the feast, many emblems and ceremonies remembered the pillar of fire that gave light to Israel during the Exodus. Now, Jesus takes this important symbol and simply applies it to Himself: I am the light of the world.”[3]
The pillar of fire in Exodus was a testimony to God’s presence with the Israelites as well as His faithfulness, provision, comfort, and guidance. It dispelled the darkness and provided light.
Jesus, the light of the world, God incarnate, the One who saves us, sanctifies us, gives us eternal life, is with us, provides for us, comforts us, and guides us.
Reflection
1. As you reflect on Jesus, the light of the world, how has He transformed you through salvation and sanctification? How have you seen His faithfulness this past week? How has He provided for, comforted, and guided you this past week?
2. How does knowing Jesus as the light of the world give you hope?
3. How does knowing Jesus as the light of the world instill joy in you?
4. Jesus said: “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Darkness is often used in the Bible to represent the world and evil. What areas are you choosing to walk in darkness instead of as one who has the light of life? Is there a sin you don’t want to give up? Is there a circumstance you are not trusting to God? What worldly thinking are you are you engaging in instead of thinking Biblically?
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 8:12.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 1:4–9.
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