I am the light of the world

Today, let’s look at Jesus’ second “I Am” claim: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).

As our text opens, Jesus “saw a man blind from birth” (v. 1). This man’s infirmity meant that he could not be healed by first-century medicine. He needed not a physician but a miracle.

Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (vs. 2).

In the misguided theology of their day, every physical illness had a spiritual cause. If this man was born blind, someone sinned. The options were binary—either him or his parents.

Jesus challenged their incorrect theology: “It is not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (v. 3).

Some suffering is the result of sin, but that was not the case here. Much of the world’s grief and pain is not directly the result of anyone’s sin or failure. God did not cause this man’s blindness, but he used it: “that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Our Lord redeems all he allows, something Jesus demonstrated powerfully in this man’s life. His redemption shows the brilliance of the light that he shines in the world.

Then Jesus brought us into the narrative: “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work” (v. 4).

• “We must” points to the imperative of what Jesus calls us to do.
• “Night is coming” shows its urgency.
• Our “work” is to share the true light our dark world so desperately needs: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (v. 5). Here, Jesus repeats God’s holy personal name, “I Am.”
• “The” points to the fact that he is the world's only light. All else is darkness.

For example, the prophet Isaiah heard from God about Christ, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).

Now Jesus calls us to reflect his light to our dark world (Matthew 5:14–16).

So, our text teaches that Jesus is the light our dark world needs. He is the light of salvation, wisdom, direction, and purpose. Our job is to reflect his light to others, so they may see our works and praise our Father in heaven. Those in the dark need to see the light. And it’s our privilege and responsibility to share it with all we can, however we can.

Notably, the once-blind man later worshipped Jesus, who allows it—a blasphemous thing if he were not God, the “Son of Man” (vv. 35–39).

Now it’s our turn.

Will you pray by name for a lost person you know?

Will you ask Jesus to shine his light through your life?

Who will be in heaven because of the light of Jesus that you reflected in the world?

Ask the Lord to help you step into the light and then share it with others.