I Am

Week two - I Am the Light of the World
John 7:11-8:12

Jesus tells us who He is - “I Am…” (seven statements in John’s gospel)

Context: Feast of Tabernacles

The “Feast of Tabernacles” is a huge festival where many Jews would make a pilgrimage to the temple to celebrate. It took place in October around the time of harvest and is a reminder of God’s deliverance, protection, provision, and faithfulness. Somewhat like our Thanksgiving.

In biblical times, during the Feast of Tabernacles, two important ceremonies took place. The Hebrew people carried torches around the temple, lighting large candelabrum along the walls of the temple. This both symbolized the presence of God as the ‘pillar of fire’ that guided them at night in the darkness during the 40 years, as well as to demonstrate the Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles. Also, the priest drew water from the pool of Siloam and carried it to the temple where it was poured into a silver basin beside the altar. The priest would call upon the Lord to provide heavenly water in the form of rain for their supply.

Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. —John 7:11-13 (NIV)

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” —John 7:37-38 (NIV)

On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.” —John 7:40-41

The connection to the practice of the festival where the priest would bring water from the pool of Siloam to the temple altar was unmistakable…and shocking!

And John tells us that the religious leaders have a late evening of debating what should be done. And so they devised a plan to trap him.

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” —John 8:2-11 (NIV)

And here it comes, the mic-drop moment, the outrageous “I AM” statement! Standing near the lit candle stands in the temple courts full of that rich reminder and symbolism Jesus says,

“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)

Light exposes and reveals. Light cleanses and sanitizes. Light gives life.

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. —John 4:28-30 (NIV)

The light of Jesus does more than expose, it cleanses and provides life!

This is why we respond with worship, devotion, obedience and a life of inviting others to come and meet the one who “told me everything I ever did.”

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. —Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. —Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

I think that is what Paul meant; to fall in love with Jesus to such a degree you know Him, experience Him, become like Him and are set on a path to live life differently.