I AM the Light of the World (Tuesday)

John 8:12

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.”

Imagine an artist stands in front of a class and painstakingly explains his work to a room full of students. The artist’s words would be correct, but not fully understood. Now imagine the same artist stands in the gallery beside his artwork. This time his words give context to something the students already partially understand. The background matters.  
 
John 7:2 gives us the background for Jesus’ teachings in John 7-8. Jesus was attending one of the three pilgrimage feasts that had been ordained by God in Leviticus 23, specifically the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as the Feast of Booths, or Sukkot). This feast was designed to help the people remember God’s provision for them in the wilderness and celebrate His ongoing provision for His people. Through the years, priests added a few traditions to this feast to celebrate the day God would provide the promised Messiah. Among them were bringing water to the Temple from the Pool of Siloam and lighting four enormous torches in the center of the Temple court.
 
On the last day of the feast, priests would lead a joyous celebration as they drew water from the Pool of Siloam and brought it to the Temple. The priests would recite Isaiah 11:9, which says, “… For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” On this last day of the feast, Jesus declared, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37)
 
When the torches were lit, the priests would recite Isaiah 49:6, “I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” As these ceremonial torches were still burning, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)
 
The background matters. Jesus’ statements are profound and deep on their own, but when you understand the context in which He spoke them?! Amazing. The Jewish community had gathered to celebrate God’s provision and look forward to the day He would send the Messiah, when all along the Messiah was standing right there with them! Jesus is the Savior, not just for the Jews, but for the whole world. Without Him, the world would be lost to the unending darkness of the punishment we deserve for our sins.

Think back to a time when you were unusually thirsty or in an extremely dark place. How do these experiences remind you of the problem of sin? What was the solution to those problems, and how do those solutions remind you of Jesus?
 
In both His comparisons (water and light), Jesus says He is the Giver of life. In this fallen world, we often turn to other people and things to satisfy our needs. What do you consider “life-giving”? Have you mistakenly given those people/things more importance than Jesus?
 
Look at a map of the world and imagine how many different people God has made and loves. Pray for the salvation of all people, and thank God for coming to save every tribe and tongue.


Lord, thank You for the amazing way You work all things together. Thank You for coming to save the world, including me. You alone are the Source of true life. Forgive me for treating other things as though they would improve my life more than You, My Savior. I confess I need Your light – I need You. Help me not to miss You in the midst of the business of my circumstances. In Jesus’ name, Amen.