“I am the light of the world” is the second of seven “I am” statements made by Jesus in John’s gospel. Like the first one in 6:35 (“I am the bread of life”), this refers to the wilderness wanderings of Israel. God’s presence was seen in the pillar of a cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). This was memorialized during the Feast of Tabernacles with huge candelabras lit during the seven days of the feast. After the Feast Jesus announced, “I am the light of the world,” not just Israel. This sparked a debate between the Pharisees and Jesus.
In this debate, we discover the difference between walking in the darkness and walking in the light.
- Jesus is the light, v. 12
- Walking in the darkness, vv. 13-27
- Walking in the light, vv. 28-30
What is your life being guided by - light or darkness?
