Permalink

John 8:12 is a life-changing verse. 

There, Jesus makes the audacious claim, "I am the light of the world." He is in such close relationship with the Father that he reveals him and imparts divine life. 

To follow Jesus is to have real life. There is no other true light than him. Everyone in the world needs him. The world was made for his light, and one day it will be filled with his light as the waters cover the sea. And all darkness will be chased away.

So why the apparent detour in the next 17 verses (i.e. John 8:13-29)? What may appear tangental on the surface proves to get at the heart of what it means for Jesus to be the world's light: his utterly unique relationship with the Father. Those who see Jesus as the light know the Father. And those who truly know the Father see his light in Jesus.

Watch, listen, or download "I Am the Light of the World."

Topic: The Deity of Christ  

David Mathis (@davidcmathis) is an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Twin Cities, and works as executive pastoral assistant to John Piper. He and his wife Megan have twin sons (Carson and Coleman) and live in Minneapolis. David is co-editor (with John Piper) of Thinking, Loving, Doing, most recently, and Finish the Mission, forthcoming. Yep, he plays rec softball and went yard in his last game.