1 I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-20 Light. We take it ...

On the first night of the Festival of the Tabernacles, a special ceremony was held
called the Illumination of the Temple. The sun sets and the people gather in the
temple area to witness a remarkable spectacle. Two great candelabra stand in
the center of the court – each candelabrum as tall as the temple walls
themselves. Suddenly, each is set ablaze as a vivid reminder of the light that
God had been to the Jewish people in the darkness of their exit from Egypt.
Those candelabra give off such a blaze of light that every home in Jerusalem is
lit up by their brilliance. Then the people begin to sing and dance with joy and
praise to God all through the night. Try to capture that impressive scene in your
mind – the crush of people singing and praising God, the huge candelabra
shining brightly, the excitement of the moment. Now, imagine what it must have
been like when Jesus walked to the center of that court. All eyes turn to Him. He
points to the candelabra and His voice rings out like thunder: “… ‘I am the light
of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you
will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:12 NLT)
It’s no surprise that the people there – most if not all – Jewish in race and religion
would have been deeply shocked by Jesus’ statement. Why Those candelabra
were reminders that God had led their ancestors from Egypt to the Promised
Land by the pillar of cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night. It was a
spectacular manifestation of light. When the pillar moved, Moses and the Jewish
people moved. When it stopped, they stopped. That pillar of fiery light had been
evidence of the very presence of God with them. He had been light in their
darkness literally and spiritually as He led them through the wilderness. Light
was a powerful image of God Himself. The Old Testament often compared God
to light. “The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid...”
(Psalm 27:1 NLT) sang King David. And Isaiah, the prophet, said, “No longer will
you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the
LORD your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”
(Isaiah 60:19 NLT)
Do you see where Jesus is going with this statement It was as if Jesus said,
“Yes, God’s presence was in that pillar of fire for Moses and our ancestors. But
now that pillar of light – that manifestation of His presence – is here again in a
person. I am the light of the world. I am the light of life. These candelabra are
shining brightly right now, but by morning they will have burned themselves out. I
am the light which lasts forever and can never be diminished. Come, follow Me,
and you will be able to walk in the light I provide forever.” Isn’t that downright
outrageous Imagine making that kind of claim about yourself! You would be an
absolute megalomaniac unless your claim was true!
That’s the kind of assertion that demands a response. It’s so grandiose; you
must either accept it or reject it. You can’t ignore it! The Jewish religious leaders
of that day and time decided not to believe in Jesus or His claims. They
challenged Him. They told Jesus He was making outrageous claims about
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