JUNE 25, 2025 – LIGHT
READ: John 8:12–29: … I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life …
Until now, Jesus made one “I am” statement where He compared Himself to the Bread that gives life (6:35,48,51). Now He says: “I am the Light of the world.” This is a reference to the Old Testament: Is. 49:6; 60:1ff; Mal. 4:2.
There He is called Light and Sun, to help people find the right way in the darkness, the way that leads to life. Whoever follows Him will receive eternal life, which will be perfect in the new heaven and the new earth.
In this way, Jesus redeems the world. But whoever does not follow Him will perish in darkness (v.24). That’s why it is crucial to accept Jesus as your Savior.
The Pharisees are immediately ready to dispute Jesus’ words. They refuse to believe that Jesus, as the Son of God, came to this earth. But Jesus answers calmly and sovereignly: “I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know.”
Again, He points to His Father, who sent Him. “The Father testifies, and I testify—these are two witnesses; therefore My judgment is true.” Again, the Jews object: “Where (not Who) is Your Father?” (v.19).
But Jesus says: “If you knew Me, you would also know My Father.” Jesus warns the Jews: if they do not accept and follow Him, they will die in their sins (v.24). Then it will be too late: they will seek Him but not find Him. Because where He is—after His death, resurrection, and ascension—they cannot go (v.21).
Again, Jesus points to His Father and His divine origin. There appears to be an unbridgeable gap between the Jews and their Savior. In their blindness, they refuse to see Jesus as the One sent by the Father.
But by doing so, they also lose the Father. One day they will have to acknowledge that He is the Christ, the Son of God (v.28)—when He is lifted up on the cross, rises from the dead, ascends to heaven, and fulfills everything. Then all will see Him, even those who pierced Him (Rev. 1:7).
Where can we find Jesus?
Sing: Ps. 86:3