I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12
Jesus states He is THE Light and, therefore, the source of all other light. Light brings order from disorder, makes clear the path, clarifies truth. It is used as a metaphor for goodness and righteousness and disperses the darkness.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5
Jesus was at the temple during the Feast of the Tabernacles at which the giant oil lamps were lit. Since God is the light of the world, these lamps stayed lit all night as a representation of God’s glory and His leading as a fiery pillar through the wilderness. It was during this festival that Jesus declared that He is the light of the world.
It is interesting that after that exchange, His next recorded act was to heal the man born blind. In Genesis God said, "let there be light." Jesus did something similar in bringing light to this man’s eyes. He also shed light on His divine identity.
Jesus is the light of the world. I want to live in His presence, in the light. He offers refuge – safety and hope – in a dark world. Where He is, no darkness prevails. We are called then to also bring light to a world that is stumbling without Him.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8
