Jesus and the Light of the World
Ryan Gerhart
Professor Miller
Intro to New Testament
11/30/2012
Jesus and the Light of the World: John 8:12-20
Money, popularity, entertainment, fame, lust, amusement. These are all examples of what present day society strives so strenuously to attain. Let’s face it: In today’s day and age, many individuals have seriously lost grip of the true meaning of life and the crucial subjects of it that ultimately matter most. One of the most significant subjects that many disregard and have abandoned is the reading and studying of one of, if not the most, popular books in the world: The bible. Its content holds an array of passages that give much understanding to not only life in general, but also our faith and morals. With this said, the passage Jesus and the Light of the World in chapter eight of the gospel of John is just one of the many pieces of the bible that can help illuminate the true essence of a Christians life and also show us the power of Jesus’s presence and word from God.
vv. 12: Jesus and the light of the world
vv. 13-15: Witness and testimony
vv. 16-18: Jesus and the Father’s judgment and testimony
vv. 19-20: The knowing of Jesus and his father
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
This statement was made during the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Festival of Lights. The use of light and darkness are not only seen in this verse but also in other sections of the bible in which Jesus is referring to the two ways an individual can live his or her own life. One can live in darkness, meaning that they are ignorant and careless towards God and his expectancies, wants, and ways. A Christian who knows the guidelines of their faith, but still proceeds to go against God’s word ultimately breaks the covenant and bond with Him. An example of this would be a child whose parent demands them not to steal, but still goes ahead and takes money from a fellow classmates coat pocket while attending school. Not only has the child broken the commandment of “Thou shall not steal”, but he has also broken the commandment of “Thou shall honor their mother and father”. Although the action is not at a very elevated level of wrongdoing, you are still “living in darkness” and going against God himself, literally denying the light of the world. The child fell into the state of darkness that Jesus speaks of because his sins are not able to be seen; there is no light to reflect upon them. On the other hand, an individual can fulfill God’s plan and live in “the