I AM the Light of the World

One might perceive the primary objective of John chapter 8 to be the “woman taken in adultery:” however, the focus of the scripture ought always be first and foremost upon the Lord Himself. Too often do we miss important truths when our minds are centered on what man is doing, rather than seeking to “get a handle” on what God is doing! Let us remember that which was penned by the apostle Paul: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ!” With this principle in mind let us look at the scriptures.

Immediately following the account of the Pharisee’s escapade with the woman and our Lord we find: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life” John 8:12. The effect of that Light upon mankind: those who will come, who will follow Him shall have the Life that that Light shall impart. The scripture is not unlike the power of electricity, demonstrating both the positive and the negative: those who will notcome, who will not follow shall not have Light, shall not have Life, but shall walk in darkness.

If “Thy Word” is truly a “Lamp unto my feet,” that by it I should be enabled to stand; then is it a “Light unto my path” to guide my walk. Shall we not then study; shall we not search the scriptures, comparing scripture with scripture? if our Bibles remain closed are we not putting our Light “under a bushel?” Let us then meet with God; let us meditate upon His Words of Life.

In I Samuel chapter two we find a priest, Eli, who had two wicked sons: these desecrated the offerings of the people unto the Lord, seizing for themselves that which should be offered for sacrifice. Further, they “lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” A warning is issued to Eli: “Behold the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house.”That is, that the priesthood of men formerly established by the Lord should be severed. The sign he was to receive concerning this was the untimely death of both sons in one day. The prophesy that follows is twofold: speaking of Samuel; then looking to a future fulfillment in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. “And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in mymind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine annointed forever” I Sam. 2:35.

Samuel entered into the priesthood at an early age; his presence there was amidst the wicked sons of Eli. Likewise do we find Jesus surrounded by the wickedness of the scribes and Pharisees. “And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision” I Sam. 3:1. Here is a greater than Samuel, whose conception was accomplished by the Holy Spirit: His coming at a time when there was no “open vision,” the 400 “silent years.” “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” Luke 2. This is precisely what is said about Samuel in 2:26! If Samuel is found “ministering” unto the Lord in the temple at an early age, shall we not likewise find Jesus “being about His Father’s business,” “ministering unto the Lord” in the temple, and at the young age of twelve? Samuel was raised up, “established” to be a “prophet of the Lord” I Sam. 3:20. He was a “faithful priest” I Sam. 2:35. He was the “last of the judges” I Sam. 7:15. But he was never King. For that, the prophetic word must wait for its fulfillment until the King of kings comes to reign.

At the beginning of chapter three we find the beginning of the end; that is, of the earthly priesthood of men: “Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim. - .and ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of God. . .that the Lord called Samuel.” Strikingly similar is that which is revealed in Hebrews 8:13: “In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayethand waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

As we return to the gospel of John let us hold in our minds those things we have just seen, as they shall serve for a foundation and comparison: the dying priesthood of the Jews; for there is come a Great High Priest: the waxing old, the vanishing away of the Mosaic covenant in lieu of a New Covenant of Grace: the lamp of God going out in the temple, for I AM, the Light of the world, is come!

John chapter seven finds Jesus coming to Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. In the midst of festivities he is teaching in the temple. “in the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified” John 7:37-39. For seven days prior to His proclamation we are told:

“While the morning sacrifice was being prepared, a priest, accompanied by a joyous procession with music, went down to the pool of Siloam, whence he drew water into a golden pitcher.” (M. F. Unger)

There was the pouring out of water into a silver basin, simultaneously with that of wine into another. This was accomplished by two priests who had ascended the steps of the altar. The shout of the multitude was a cry for blessing and prosperity. This continued for seven days. “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus [our Great High Priest] stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let himcome unto Me, and drink.”

These rejoiced in the pouring forth of water into a basin of silver, but Jesus spoke of the pouring out of Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Our rejoicing may be found in Christ: shall we not “tabernacle” with Him; is our feasting not to be accomplished as we are made partakers of the Bread of Life and of Living Water?

“As the close of the first day of the feast was celebrated, the “joy of the pouring out of water,” the worshippers descended to the court of the women, where great preparations had been made. Four golden candelabras were there, each with four golden bowls, against each candelabra a ladder resting, upon them standing four lads from the rising youth of the priests, with pitchers of oil, wherewith they fed the lamps. The light from these lamps illuminated the whole city.” (M F. Unger)

(It has been said that the light from the temple atop that city might be seen even unto the Mediterranean Sea!)

The eighth day. The lamps are out. Jesus “early in the morning. . .came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down and taught them.” John 8:2.

For seven days the temple that sat above Jerusalem issued forth light that brightened the entire city and the surrounding countryside. For seven days the people have gazed in awe upon this grand spectacle. With such a fiery example burned into their minds, our Lord makes a luminous comparison: “I AM the Light of the world!” We are not left without further proof from the scriptures, and they are numerous. “And I saw no temple therein: for The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the Glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof” Rev. 21:22,23. He’s the Light of the City!

“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the Light of it:” Rev. 21:24. He’s the Light of the nations; of the world!

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke our Lord illustrates much of His teaching with parables; while in the gospel of John He reveals Himself through allusions and metaphors. When He would make Himself known as the Water of Life, He encounters the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. More than just practical teaching, His subjects are brought to a saving knowledge of the Truth!

“Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water” John 4:10.

“And Jesus said unto them, I AM the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” John 6:35. The feeding of the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fishes preceded the unveiling of Himself as the Bread of Life; however those Jews, as representing the nation of Israel, apparently were more interested in the miracle than in the Master.

Our Lord might reveal himself as the Water of Life and the Bread of Life, but to show Himself as the Light of Life required more than a miracle! Water may be drawn from a well; it may be contained in a pitcher or glass. Bread, likewise may be held in the hand, eaten, or placed in a breadbox. But light obviously can not be stored in any container; it may not be held in the hand!

In John 8:12 Jesus declares of Himself: “1 AM the Light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.” In John chapter one Jesus is revealed as “The Word;” He is very God; His co-existence in the “beginning” was with God: He is Creator of all.

Light is not self-existent. It must beam forth from a source. “In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men.” That is, He is the Life, the source of Light. “That was the True Light, which lighteth every man” John 1:9. Thus when Jesus speaks of “the Light of Life” in John 8:12, we are to understand that He is God, the Word, the Creator, the Life, the source of Light. But we are not finished: the meaning is at least twofold: that Light has the capacity to bring forth life in others: He is a life-giving Light.Therefore, he that receives the Light also receives the Life from whence it originates. Contrarily, if one will not come to the Light, neither shall he have Life.

Light reveals. It is as God Himself; not being seen itself, but revealing all with which it comes in contact. “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” John 1:5. A room filled with darkness cannot withhold the power of the light from a small flickering candle. Darkness cannot contain nor overcome the light, but light will dispel the darkness. Are we not admonished to “let your light shine before men:” that we do not hide it “under a bushel” wherein we are willingly guilty of restricting its power?

“the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” I Sam. 16:7. Though man imagine his “Superman” with “X-ray vision,” it is certainly nothing new with God! “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known” Matt. 10:26. Man may perform intricate operations with his laser beam, but he can in no wise equal “The Word of God” for it is “quick, [living] and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. . .a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” Heb. 4:12,13.

The woman “taken in adultery”

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst. . .” Good missionaries might they be: to bring a sinner to Jesus: that she might be saved; cleansed; reconciled to God! But no. Their ‘‘mission” is far from caring for the sinner: she shall be used; exploited. Their purpose: to tempt the Lord. They accuse the woman seeking a further design: to accuse, to attempt to entrap the Lord Jesus.

Unbeknown to these religionists, they were not interrupting Jesus’ teaching: far from it: they were to be the springboard from which He would launch the revealing of Himself as I AM, the Light of the world! All those present were to have a firsthand view of the unmasking of these accusers; that their true identities would be unveiled.

“Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.” Clearly an open and shut case. She’s guilty; we are the accusers; we are the witnesses against her. We are here to “uphold the law of Moses;” to see to it that justice is invoked to she who has broken the commandment of God.

The law of sin and death.

“Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned.” (Butthe law also provided that she be brought to trial; before duly appointed magistrates: these respected citizens however, seem to resemble an Old West“lynch mob.”)

The entrapment. Jesus in the “lion’s den.”

“But what sayest thou?” Observing Jesus’ partiality and unwarranted concern for those lowly sinners, they were sure that he would not condone her stoning. Yet how may he not condemn her in compliance with the law of Moses?

“But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” As they awaited his answer, yet being assured that he had none, their self-confidence and pride soared higher than the tower of Babel: victory to the strong!

“So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

In my mind’s eye I see men with knees buckling: I see faces as white as death: I sense men who have not been touched by human hand, but seem to have had the breath knocked out of them. I see the beads of perspiration breaking forth upon the brow. The Word of God has spoken and the Sword has found its mark!

“. . .both Jews and Gentiles. . .they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one:” Rom. 3:9,10. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is theknowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:19,20.

“But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. . .And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.” The Pharisees have challenged Him with the Mosaic law: once written, then broken, then written again with the finger of God. Now does the Lawgiver once again; no, twice; write as He did of old! But what? We don’t know. But suppose, just suppose, he began writing thus: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” While the scribes and Pharisees may spout of their keeping of the law, of their rituals and ceremonies, yet would they have no defense here: for they are enemies of God, and are in no wise able to “keep” this commandment! What of the woman? Neither has she kept this commandment; she is likewise guilty. But soon there shall come a sorrow across her heart, a mourning of spirit, the owning of her hopeless condition, and then a desire to truly love Him!

The Pharisees “taken in adultery.”

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one” John 8:9a.

“But he that believeth not is condemned already” And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved” John 3:18-20.

“Jesus said unto them, if God were your father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God” John 8:42. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do” John 8:44.

“I AM come in my Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him yewill receive” John 5:43.

The depths of apostasy are yet to be reached by the descendants of these venomous pretenders: they shall shun for the last time the Lord God, the “Husband” of the nation of Israel and shall enter an unholy covenant, “giving” themselves unto the antichrist: wicked adulterers are they.

The accuser becomes the accused.

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience” Convicted, their own conscience having pointed the accusing finger; having witnessed the evidence; being before them both judge and jury; now finds them guilty: convicted criminals, having broken the laws of God. The cloak of self-righteousness having fallen from them, they flee from the courtroom. But let them not think that they shall soon shake off that conscience that has brought them face to face with their guilty state. They “went out one by one.” Leaving the presence of the Light, they went forth into the darkness of the morning sun.

“Woman, where are those thine accusers?”

They are the as sons of Cain. As they stood before the Lord, those words spoken outside the Garden so long before might well apply: “Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door” Gen. 4:6,7. Their conscience having convicted them of sin, they stand responsible before God. They should fall on their faces in repentance and faith owning Him as Lord and Savior, but they will not. Sin lieth at the door and they go forth to meet him.

The woman is left without an accuser, standing in the presence of God. Why does she not flee also? Has her conscience not brought conviction: does she not know that she stands guilty before the Sovereign who might legally and righteously pass an Eternal Judgment upon her soul? The seed sown by the sower fell upon the hardened, rocky soil of the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees, but here we must believe that it found lodging in “good ground!” But what makes it “good ground?” Certainly not the conscience of the natural man who is at enmity against God. if she would be saved it will not be apart from the convicting, the quickening of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ!

“Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord.” Be it a dying thief upon a cross, or one taken in adultery; to them He is Lord! Though some might object to the absence of a verbal prayer, may we say that it is not the movement of the lips, but the turning of the heart that moves one from sin to the Savior!

“Neither do I condemn thee:”

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world. . .He that believeth on Him is not condemned” John 3:17,18.

Notice, Jesus did not say; I find you “not guilty;” for certainly she was. The law pronounced her “guilty,” but Grace declared her to be “not condemned!”

He did not say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, as did He proclaim on other occasions in the gospels, but most assuredly they were. She is “not condemned” because Christ became Sin for her, taking her rightful judgment upon Himself; being sentenced to die; having that sentence executed upon His own body. Having thus satisfied the law by dying in her stead, she is made free from condemnation; saved by Grace. . .the gift of God!

She acknowledges Him as Lord. In every respect He is the “Husband” against whom she has transgressed; for she also, has been guilty of spiritual adultery against the God of Israel. By rights Heshould be the accuser; yet He is unwilling to condemn her. No, He would instead forgive her, restore this prodigal, put the ring on her finger, clothe her with the best robe, and provide the fatted calf for the celebration. This and more will He do when He comes again the second time in power and glory!

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be my covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” Jer. 31:31-33. Compare Heb.8:8,9.

“Go, and sin no more”

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I Am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life” John 8:12.

How are we to understand this? The woman is instructed to “go;” yet almost in the same breath does Jesus contend that if we are to walk in the Light we must surely follow Him! Listen! She’s found the Shepherd! She is to go follow Him: He will lead her beside still waters: He will lead her in paths of righteousness!

“Go, and sin no more.” How futile if Jesus had thus charged her, if indeed her heart had experienced no change! But we must believe that the Spirit has planted the seed of the Word into good ground. Now may she cry as the Psalmist: Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” Psalm 119:11.

“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them” Ezek. 11:19,20. Compare Ezek. 36:26,27.

“But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground”

The God of Creation formed heaven and earth, and with His finger signed His magnificent work. Thus were the mountains brought upward and the valleys brought low. His finger wrote commandments upon tablets of stone; it wrote upon the wall of king’s palaces: now it is seen writing upon the ground. But what is not seen is His signature written upon His New Creation: the hearts of those whom He has redeemed!

“How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the Fountain of Life: in Thy Light shall we see light” Psalm 36:7-9.