John 8:12-20

Key Verse: 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

1. Background

 A. Jesus is in the temple on the last day of the Festival of Booths. 住棚節。During the feast, the Jews would take time to remember how God was with them in the wilderness as they dwelt in tents. In the festival of the Booths, tradition says that in the last days of the feast, people would gather under the lamplights of the temple. This is where Jesus exclaims, “I AM the Light of the world.”

B. John is showing us the division amongst the people. Some believe others do not. The religious leader in the majority do not believe and are plotting to kill him.

2. Theological Observations

Jesus is the Light of the world.  This is the most apparent theological observation we can make in our passage, but what does He mean by “light”? Jesus qualifies what His light does for those who follow Him; they “shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the life of light.”

In previous chapters, John had already talked about darkness. He said men loved darkness rather than the light and that this condemned them of sin (see John 3:15-21). According to John, darkness is the sin and evil that humanity lives in. The Light of Christ exposes our sin, and people choose to resist Christ’s rebukes.

Jesus is claiming that, whoever believes in Him and His word, will be given eternal life that the Light brings. Also, Jesus’ light will guide and direct God’s people, just as He did in the wilderness.

I note, there is an interesting connection between the Light and Jesus Himself. At times it seems Jesus possesses light, and at other times, Jesus is the same as the Light. The implication is we are called to rely on Jesus’ heart as well as His leadership and His words.

Such a claim does not leave room for many options to choose from. Either He is the Light, or He is not. As we can see from the narrative, there is a division amongst the people that either accepts that He is the Messiah or conclude He is lying.

We are left with the problem that John has already explained in John 3. We love our darkness, and the Light of Christ reproves us. How then can we be translated into Christ’s light and receive “the life of light”?

3. How do the passage point to Jesus and the gospel?

Verse 12 tells us that Jesus’ life leads to life, but how so? As we read a little farther, John leaves another bread crumb in chapter 12. Some non-Jews come to seek for Jesus, and John sees this as a final sign that Jesus’ death is near (See John 12:20-23). Toward the end of that passage, Christ says that the time for Satan’s defeat has come, and Jesus will be “lifted up” (on the cross) (see John 12:31-32).  

To this, the crowd rightly says the scripture teaches the Messiah will live forever but wrongly assumes He would never die. Rather than correct this, Jesus calls for them to trust Him in spite of their wrong assumptions. In verses 35 and 36 of chapter 12, Jesus says, “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.”

“Thay ye may be children of the light”? In what sense do believers become children of the light? Hearkening back to Nicodemus in chapter three, Jesus told Nicodemus that “ye must be born again.” Children of darkness become children of light through a supernatural birth that believing in Jesus accomplishes. Even though the listener’s understanding isn’t perfect at this point, they can still choose to trust Jesus as the source of Light. This alone is an acceptable belief in the eyes of God that leads one to eternal life. Thus says Jesus, “Walk while ye have the light…believe in the light, that ye may be children of the light.”

We exchange families when we believe in Jesus Christ as the Light. His light not only reproves us of sin but bestows upon us the life we could never avail ourselves to. Paul will later say in Colossians 1:12-13,

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

This “translation” process was accomplished through the cross and resurrection of Christ. As Jesus broke the power of darkness on the cross, life and light were made freely available to all who trust Christ. 

Upon reading John a second time, one will realize John gave the answer to this problem back in John 1:12-13,

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” 

4. Application

How do people today apply light to everyday problems? One needs constant light while working under the car. We consult the light to find our way about objects in a dark room. Without adequate light, we cannot read well for long periods. Putting the metaphor aside, we need to consult with Christ just as we constantly consult with the light. And it isn’t as simple as flipping on the switch in the kitchen.

We live in a day where getting the Bible is relatively easy. I say “relatively” because of the internet and smartphones. We can download an app that will read the Bible to us. Whatever platform one chooses to read or hear the scriptures, we still should plan to consult it regularly with a prepared heart to obey.

Light doesn’t do one good unless one chooses to act according to it. As we absorb the scriptures, we already have an attitude of belief, “this is true and good.” But we also make a plan throughout the day to consult with it. Prepare yourself beforehand to read and focus on scriptures throughout the day. Get a plan. Borrow someone else’s plan and make it yours. Ask mature Christians how they keep God’s word in front of them, even when times are chaotic and extra busy.

For maturer Christians who ought to be teachers, we can help others understand the truth they are reading, but it takes works to untangle the webs of confusion young disciples have. As the truth confronts sin and challenges their world views, they will almost certainly have questions that only a skilled Bible student can answer without mishandling the scriptures. Can you handle the scriptures? Have you been Christian for so long but yet considered a novice in Bible explanation? Have you sought training so you can better communicate biblical truths to a lost and dying world? You’ve had the Light of Christ for so long; are you now able to guide others into it?