I AM: Jesus in His Own Wordsنموونە

I AM…The Light of the World

In the second of seven self-descriptions, Jesus declares himself to be “the light of the world.” As with the first “I AM” statement, this one is an allusion to ancient Israel wandering through the wilderness under the leadership of Moses. At night they would follow a pillar of fire so they wouldn’t walk in darkness (Exodus 13:21). It is fitting that Jesus makes this statement in the temple courts during the Festival of Tabernacles, which commemorates Israel’s sojourn in the desert with a display of bright lights. Jesus is a better and eternal light: whoever follows him will never walk in darkness! And Jesus is a light, not just for Israel—he is the light of the world!