Light signifies God’s divine nature - His holiness, His works, Word, favor, presence, protection, truth, righteousness, and goodness. Light speaks of joy, hope, happiness and life. The word "light" is divinely rich in its comprehensiveness and meaning.
In the OT God is referred to as light. It was God who led the nation of Israel through the desert with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. The psalmist said of God:
For our fathers did not possess the land [of Canaan] by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them, but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, because You favored and delighted in them (Psalm 44:3 AMP).
In John 7, Jesus and His disciples were at the Feast of Booths, where each evening the temple was illuminated by lights. Historians record the illumination of the temple as a stunning vision. It looked like a diamond in the midst of the city of Jerusalem filling the whole temple area with flashing light. The temple was so illuminated that it seemed like day.
Now that the festival is over, Jesus took this opportunity to minister to the faithful in the temple (Luke 21:37). He taught in the court of the women at the place where the treasury was situated (John 8:20).
The scribes and Pharisees knew where He would be, so they went to find Him and continue their conversation and what is the first thing Jesus says?
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.”
14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I am testifying about Myself, My testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
15 You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17 Even in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”
19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple area; and no one arrested Him, because His hour had not yet come (John 8:12-20).
The Light:
Defined Jesus Identity and Purpose
Dispels the Darkness
Needs no Defense
Defines Jesus’ Identity and Purpose
““I am the Light of the world,””
declaring himself to be that salvation that Israel was waiting for.
Using the term “I Am,” Jesus is pointing to His unique divine identity as the eternal pre-existent one. In declaring Himself to be the “Light” He equated Himself with God. He is talking about His perfect intrinsic nature, there is not one blemish, stain, mark, or sin on His character.
God is absolutely perfect in all His ways. He is absolutely holy and pure.
“He is the only hope for this spiritually dark world.”
Jesus said of Himself:
I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in Me [as Savior—all those who anchor their hope in Me and rely on the truth of My message] will not continue to live in darkness (John 12:46, AMP).
Dispels the Darkness
For the unbeliever Jesus promised:
The one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life (John 8:12).
“Darkness” in this context speaks about the spiritual state of a person that is living apart from God.
In general darkness can refer to misery, adversity, impurity, wickedness, sin, blindness, gloom, death, despair, helplessness, and hopelessness. Darkness refers to all that is in opposition to the light of God’s love and truth in Christ.
The prince of darkness who blinds the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).
“Unconfessed sin radically affects our daily fellowship with God and with others.”
That’s why it’s better to keep short accounts with God.
John wrote in his epistle to the church:
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose] (1 John 1:9).
C. S. Lewis wrote,
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
When I study the Scriptures, when I hear the Word of God, the Spirit of God brings light in my darkness, because His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
He shows me where my life is not aligned with His Word, shows me my blind spots, where I need to grow, where I need to be cleansed.
“It is only when we walk in the light that we will be able to see things clearly,”
according to God’s perspective. Jesus was saying, until the light of God’s word illuminates your heart and mind, you won’t be able to make sense of your life and this world.
Walking in the light allows us to discern the truth from error and delivers us from evil. Only in the light will we understand the purpose for His incredible sacrifice on the cross.
Only when we walk in the light will we see our purpose in life and the need to be salt and light in this dark world.
Needs no defense
Jesus didn’t need the endorsement of the religious leaders to prove that He was the Light of the world. He didn’t need to justify or defend Himself because His life, His teaching, His works and all that the prophets had written about Him under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit testified to the Light. Jesus life spoke for itself.
Why is this relevant for us?
God defines our identity and purpose
We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, to declare the praises of God who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Pet 2:9).
God will use our lives to dispel darkness
Jesus said, "You are the light of the world" (Matt 5:14). Who was He saying this to? It was to a crowd of ordinary people.
It is through you that God intends to make His Gospel known to the nations.
Your life will speak for itself
Your reputation will precede you. It will open doors and create opportunities for you to speak about the hope that is in you.
Jesus said:
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
