“I am the Light of the World”

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “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)

The Feast of Tabernacles (also called the Festival of Booths) is the backdrop to Jesus’ proclamation: “I AM the light of the world” (see John 7:2).

At this Feast, the people celebrated God’s faithfulness in leading their ancestors in the wilderness (Lev 23:33-43). But it also became a time when they began to look forward to a future when God (as King) would again lead them into victory.

In the days of Jesus, this Feast would have been a spectacular sight! Young and old celebrated by living in tents for seven days, in memory of their ancestors’ forty years in the wilderness. Yet, this festival’s most incredible visual was saved for each evening. At that time, a massive lamp-stand in the temple was lit, which was as tall as a seven-story building! Its light could be seen throughout every corner of Jerusalem, reminding the city’s inhabitants of God’s guidance in the wilderness through the pillar of fire, and His promise of future triumph.

The light which led Israel through the wilderness was a shadow of the substance found in Jesus. That light brought guidance and led the nation into victory. But the greater light in Jesus leads us in victory over sin and into our inheritance of eternal life.

SHADOW: God guiding Israel through the wilderness with fire, leading them into victory and to a land of great blessing.

CONTEXT: During the Feast of Tabernacles, massively tall lamp-stands were lit every night.

SUBSTANCE: Jesus is the true Light, who guides us from darkness into the light of his salvation.

Reflect:

As you read John 8:12-30, consider the implications for your own life of Jesus’ claims in this passage. How does the context of the Feast of Tabernacles (which looked back to God’s guidance in the wilderness, and forward to a day he would lead in future victory) shed even more light on the nature of His claims?

Identify a situation in which you feel you are in darkness and in need of God’s direction and guidance. How might Jesus be guiding you even now? What light has he already brought you?