The second I AM that Jesus claimed of himself is “I am the Light of the world.” This is found in John 8:12: “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’” (ESV). This verse has three parts that we will look at. The first is the claim that he is “the light of the world”. This does not refer to physical light. It refers to spiritual light that overcomes spiritual darkness caused by death due to sin. It is the light produced by spiritual life he gives to those who believe in him and walk with him in obedience.
The second is “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness.” What is this darkness? I believe we can obtain a good idea from the following verses: “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:19 – 21 ESV). Darkness is associated with evil works or evil things. Darkness is also used to describe the domain of those who do not have eternal life. Paul tells us that “He [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13 – 14 ESV).
The third is “the light of life”. As long as a flame has fuel and oxygen it will burn brightly, but as the fuel is consumed the flame burns lower and gives off less light. Jesus is implying that he is the source of life that produces light. As long as we abide in Jesus we draw life from him and that life produces light within our souls. Coming to Jesus we are transferred from the domain of darkness and death to the kingdom of light and life. What a difference there is when Jesus turns the lights on in our soul.
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