The Gospel of John: John 8.12-30

Read and meditate on John 8.12.
We omit from this study John 7.53-8.11, since these verses are not included in the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts. The earliest complete manuscript of the New Testament in which they appear is from the 5^th century. So how did these verses get into the Bible? They may have begun as a marginal note, recording a true incident from Jesus’ life, but not part of the text being copied. Over time, that lovely story began to appeal to transcribers, and it became included in the text. It may well record a true episode, but we should not regard it as Scripture. Our story continues at, or shortly after, the Feast of Tabernacles, and Jesus is teaching in the temple. He continues to pile on astonishing claims, and the people continue to be divided in their response.

¹²Then Jesus spoke to them again, and said,
“I am the Light of the world. He who, instead
of doubting, follows Me, shall never in
the darkness walk again, but will within
himself possess the very light of life.”

- John 8.12

Reflect
1.  Let’s connect verse 12 with John 7.38, in which Jesus identified Himself with the rock which gushed water in the wilderness. Here He identifies Himself as the light of the world. This phrase, the light of the world (in the Greek, to phos tou kosmou) is amenable to a variety of translations, such as, “the light that illuminates the world,” “the light toward which the world inclines” (think of a flower, bending toward the light), and even “the light which explains” the world. Which of these seems to make the most sense to you? Why? Or is there some truth in each? Complete this prayer: Lord Jesus, Light of my life, guide me today in the path of…

2.  Light includes many beneficial properties essential for life. Such as? Why is this an especially apt metaphor for Jesus to apply to Himself? Let Your light shine in and through me today, Lord, so that…

3.  In our scientific age, we know a bit more about light – certainly more than the people of Jesus’ day would have known. But Jesus knew that light is comprised of two components, waves and particles. Photons of light follow wave patterns. One substance, two aspects. Hmmm. How does this point to Jesus? Thank You, Jesus, that when You spoke the world into being, You made it to bear witness to…

4.  What does it mean to “walk in darkness”? Who walks in darkness? What is the effect of light on the darkness (recall John 1.5 and 3.19-21)? What are the implications of this for those who follow Jesus? I want Your light to shine in and through me, Lord, and I know that, when it does…

5.  What is “the light of life”? How does following Jesus bring us into the light of life? What should we expect to be the effects of this light on our lives?  Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Jesus reveals the ignorance of the scribes and Pharisees when he cries out, ‘I am the light of the world.’ He is saying, ‘You who go through the whole of holy Scripture and think that you will assess what is spoken about me through the prophets have strayed far from the way of life. And it is no wonder, for he who reveals mysteries and illumines the whole world, he who shines like a sun into the hearts of those who would receive him—he is not in you. He who does not have the divine and spiritual light within himself must surely walk in darkness and stumble in great foolishness.’ The Only Begotten is light by nature, beaming forth from God the Father who is light by nature.… But we must note again that he says that he is the light not especially or solely for the people of Israel but for all the world.’” Cyril of Alexandria (375-44 AD)

The cosmos is pervaded by light, and Jesus is the light of the cosmos. The vast cosmos is thus filled with a powerful witness to Jesus, but Jesus is determined that His light should shine above all else through us, His followers (cf. Matt. 5.13-16). What are the implications of this for you today?

Closing Prayer
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Psalm 19.1-6

Psalm 19.1-6 (St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The heav’ns declare God’s glory, the skies His work proclaim!
From day to day and night to night they shout His glorious Name!
No speech, no words, no voice is heard, yet all across the earth
The lines of His all-present Word make known His holy worth.

Behold, the sun arises, a bridegroom strong and bright,
Rejoicing as he runs his course from morning unto night.
From east to west across the skies his circuit he completes,
And none can hide his sinful eyes or shelter from his heat.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.