Scripture Daily

Context No. 2995 of 4322 · John

Context · Reflection

John 8:12-18: in context

12Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” 14Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. 15You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. 16Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. 17It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. 18I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”

Jesus makes a staggering claim: I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. The Pharisees object that a man testifying about himself proves nothing. Jesus answers that his testimony is true, because he knows where he came from and where he is going, and, more, he is not testifying alone: the Father who sent him bears witness with him.

The claim is enormous, I am the light of the world, and the promise attached is that whoever follows him escapes the darkness for the light of life. But notice how Jesus grounds his authority. Not in himself alone, but in the Father who sent him and testifies with him. He acts always in union with the Father, never on his own. To follow him is to walk out of darkness into the light of God, on the joint witness of the Son and the Father. And the Pharisees, judging by mere appearances, cannot see it.

Am I following the light of the world out of darkness, or judging by mere appearances and missing who Jesus truly is?

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