John 8:12 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.
The imagery of light and darkness is used so much in our world today. I remember President George H. Bush using the phrase ‘a Thousand Points of Light’ in a presidential speech and using that phrase often. Even more recently, a presidential nominee represented himself as the Light while comparing his opponent to the Darkness. Even in everyday life the symbolism is obvious. Children are scared of the dark because they perceive ‘monsters’ are hiding there. While the breaking of the sun over the horizon of a new day just offers the hope of a new day!
But what is at the heart of the meaning of this imagery? In short, Light represents Goodness, Righteousness and purity while darkness represents evil, wickedness and sin. From a secular perspective, the meanings may be milder and less polarized, yet still generally represents good versus evil. When Jesus or the Bible uses Light/Darkness imagery, it certainly is used in the most extreme Good verse Evil sense.
Before we analyze Jesus’ comments, lets examine further scripture to support this definition:
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Notice the Contrast: Light, God, and forgiveness on one side. While Darkness, Satan, wickedness, and sin are on the EXTREME opposing side. Another word that can go along with darkness (depending on the context of course) is the word “World”.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
With that foundation and the terms understood, let’s look closer at Jesus’ statement that we started with.
John 8:12 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.
As one of Jesus’ great ‘I AM’ statements, Jesus says that HE is THE Light of the world. That statement has several implications. First and most obviously, Since establishing the definition, Jesus is saying that he is Purity! Jesus is Sinlessness! Jesus is Righteousness. He is the Ultimate manifestation of all of those things! He can say that because God is all of those things and he is God! (John 1:1)
But Secondly, Since he is God and God is Light, he establishes himself as God’s ultimate representative. We cannot know God, without knowing Jesus. We cannot understand God, without understanding Jesus. We cannot experience God without experiencing Jesus. We cannot gain salvation without gaining access first to God’s spotless Lamb.
Thirdly, Jesus is saying that he has brought and continues bringing those qualities and positive attributes to be the counter and alternative to the darkness of this world! Jesus is the One and only antidote to sin. He is the Victor over satan. He is the solution to wickedness. He is the Ultimate Alternative! In a similar manner that light pushes darkness out of the way, Jesus gives us the power to push sin out of our lives as well.
But Jesus does not just establish that as the fact that He is the light. He takes it a bit farther by telling us what that means to us! We must individually react to that bit of information. There is something for us to do to allow his light to chase away the darkness from our own lives. We MUST Follow him! Following him means that we, like a moth, be attracted to the light; leaving the darkness in our past. We cannot CLAIM Jesus or pretend to be followers of Jesus, while intentionally going to the darkness in the manner that we live, behave, think, react, judge, and/or speak. In fact, we need to take it a step farther.
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Our Light should not be our own. Instead it should be a reflection of Jesus. That means we are to live, to the best of our abilities, reflecting his Love, Righteousness, purity and every other characteristic of Jesus.