The Light of the World
When a light comes in a dark room, can they not notice of it? When Jesus came to the world, they didn’t recognize their Savior, the light of life. They were spiritually blind. Then, what would be God’s method to make the blind to see, the ignorant to understand, and the stubborn to believe?
Jesus’ message in John 8:12 is this. “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” He is the only light, no other light available in the world. Philosophy or science or money or friend’s opinion cannot be your guide. If you don’t follow the light, you would stumble or fall into pits on life’s road. If you follow Jesus, you would not sin, be free from condemnation, and have eternal life.
They failed to believe the message. Jews doubted about Jesus’ message because it was a testimony of one person Jesus. They said, “you testify about yourself; your testimony is not true.” What they are saying makes a sense. Any testimony by one person cannot be accepted. Have you ever questioned yourself like this, when you read Bible? There is no other source that attests Bible messages while all the other studies and theories support each other.
However, we need to admit that this is the nature of the gospel. Jesus is the only light amidst complete darkness. Only Jesus knows the truth, that’s why they cannot verify His message. Verse 14 says, “I know where I came from and where I am going. But you people do not know where I came from or where I am going” Also, they are from this world, but Jesus is from above. (v23) Jesus’ message is about eternal life. Because they had not experienced eternal life or anything beyond this life, they could not understand nor believe.
In fact, Jesus’ testimony is not of one person. Jesus’ message is the message of the Father. As Jesus testifies about himself, the Father also testifies about Jesus. (v18) However, Jews thought Jesus’ father was Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, and couldn’t understand what Jesus said.
Despite their failure to believe the message, Jesus didn’t give up preaching because it is the most urgent message they need to hear. Jesus proclaimed, “you will die in your sins unless you believe in me” (v24). They didn’t want to believe the message. They questioned “who are you?” That means, ‘Aren’t you the carpenter’s son?’
Now, what is Jesus’ answer and His method to persuade them to believe Jesus’ message? If you have doubts in faith, Jesus’ answer (v27-29) will help you clear out your doubts.
When they asked, “who are you?” Jesus didn’t try to defend about himself, rather He focused to reveal the one who sent Him. His sole purpose is to represent God the Father, not himself.
How to reveal the Father who is invisible to Jews who are asking evidences? Jesus revealed God not through miracles or power, but through absolute obedience to God’s will. Throughout the crucifixion, Jesus showed full trust in God and obedience. As we meditate the cross, we can say it was not by accident or done by one-man Jesus’ decision. It was God’s plan and God was there when Jesus was crucified. From the garden of Gethsemane, on the Calvary Hill, and to the resurrection, all these are perfectly God’s will and Jesus’ absolute obedience.
That’s why Jesus said, “when you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak just what the Father taught me. And the on who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do those things that please him.” (v28-29)
If the crucifixion was planned and performed by Two, Jesus’ testimony is not of one man Jesus, but also of the Father. Therefore, His testimony is valid.
Jesus came as the light to the world. But the world could not recognize the light nor accept it. God’s way to persuade his people, of stubborn heart and blind mind, was crucifixion of His Son. When they crucified sinless Jesus, their sinfulness was exposed. When they rejected the Son of God, their blindness was proven. When the lamb of God was slaughtered on the cross, His forgiving grace was proclaimed. In order to be the light of the fallen world, Jesus needed to be crucified. As a candle burns to light, Jesus laid down His life to proclaim the truth to the deaf, blind, and stubborn.
The message of eternal life cannot be understood without encountering the cross. As you meditate the Jesus’ crucifixion, you will find the light of the world!