“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” John 8:12
In this verse we learn where John first heard the term light used in reference to Christ. He heard it from Christ Himself as He addressed the Pharisees in the temple court near the place where offerings were put. Historically, the Pharisees were aware of the messianic prophecies about light found in the Old Testament. Therefore, speaking in terms the Jews would understand, Christ testified that He fulfilled these prophecies. However, Christ does not stop there. He followed His words “I am the light” by quickly adding “of the world”. By adding this phrase, Christ testified that He is the fulfillment of God’s plan for Jews and Gentiles alike.
“Will never walk in darkness” is an interesting phrase. We know that the world is estranged from God, spiritually ignorant and blind. Natural man is spiritually dead and lives in a dark, blind world, meaning man which does not naturally believe in or regard God. An early church writer said it this way, “As in the case of a blind man placed in the sun, the sun is present to him, but he is absent from the sun”.
“Will have the light of life” means that Jesus claims to be the light of the world, through whom people may have life. Unless individuals believe in Jesus Christ, who was sent by God the Father, they will die in their sins. Jesus’ cross reveals that He is truly the Messiah, the Son of Man sent to deliver us from spiritual darkness.
God’s blessings on your day…