John 8:12 Lighten up!

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 NIV

[Preface comments: This narrative seems to be connected with the previous time Jesus spoke in John 7:39 when he told those at the feast about the waters of the Holy Spirit erupting. Skipping over the people’s reaction at the end of John 7, and the interjection of the story of the adulterous woman, Jesus continues on the topic of the believer’s identity.]

Who I am and who I accept myself to be, is foundational to how I behave and engage in life every day. If I am the son or daughter of the U.S. President, or a tech tycoon such as Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, what I eat, how I live, and my future prospects would be much different than if I didn’t know who my parents were, grew up in poverty and was struggling to survive every day. Identity matters. The unthinkable, incredible, and improbable message of the Gospel is more than simply “escaping hell” or avoiding the wrath of God. It is about what he calls me and the resulting identity he graciously spreads over me — like a warm coat on a cold day, or like a closet full of designer business clothes for a homeless man in tattered reeking threads.

It’s important that this distinction is clear before proceeding. As a man (or woman) on the planet earth, the Gospel is not about what Jesus is doing for me, or giving to me, it is about what he is making me out to be. Injecting identity. Association. The ownership and pride of the Kingdom of God over people who at every other appearance — are not qualified.

The segue

In John 7:37 he said living waters would flow from me. Not him. Not heaven. Not a rock in the desert. But from me.

Now, he continues on this mind-altering, attention grabbing, and unbelievable declaration. Light. You are Light!

Becoming light

In this verse, Jesus says that he is the light of the world. The focus is rightfully on him, so his following qualification doesn’t sound dramatic, but it is. He is giving those who follow him the ability to also be the very same light. “He will never walk in darkness.” Why? Because he or she is also the light. Just like Jesus. If this feels like a stretch to say this, let me provide some support. Earlier, Jesus said:

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 NIV

And in Isaiah, he said something very similar:

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV

Arise, YOU shine. His glory appears over YOU. Nations will come to YOUR light. Who is that light? Me. Later in Isaiah 60:19-20 he says “the Lord” will be the everlasting light. So which is it? In Isaiah 66 it becomes even more clear: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. God is the light, in Jesus. And God is the light in me — because of what Jesus did to qualify me. My fellowship and place as a man or woman with the Father has been restored and he now dwells inside of me.

There are a few unambiguous lessons Jesus teaches in the Gospel of John. The first is that he is the One they were waiting for. The Messiah. Believing in him is a requirement. He was sent to take the sins of the world. In Jesus is life. The second is that the closeness and intimacy he has with God, the unity, the relationship, is what this life is about. Jesus is modeling this relational supremacy, sharing it as an example for me and all of his followers. What he is and has, is what I am and to become.

Audacious. Incredible. Unthinkable. But true.

He makes this declaration publicly. “I am the light of the world, he that follows me…” It is only audacious if it is not true. But it is. The boldness, the concept, the reality of what he is saying is so new and shocking to the listeners. And what do they do with it?

If Jesus were a madman, an incoherent homeless man walking about in a drug-addled stupor, everyone would simply ignore him. But Jesus has the street credibility, the authority, the miracles, the followers, and most importantly, the testimony of the unseen realm in angels and the Spirit of God, supporting everything he is saying. Recognizing his credibility, the only thing the leaders can do is argue the merits of his testimony. (Because the last thing they want to do is believe and honor him and give up their way of life, thank you very much.) The next verses read like lawyers in a courtroom arguing the merits of Jesus’ own testimony. They dismiss him and disqualify him because he is the only one saying this. But Jesus’ answer reveals a glimpse into the world from which he operates and lives, breathes, and sees. A place I am to be as well — if only I believe and respond to his invitation.

I am light! We are light! If only my eyes could open to see this.