I Am the Light of the World
Gospel Reading: John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen. May the blessing of the Father who calls us and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us be with us all, that we may hear His word and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Amen.
Introduction: A Declaration Only God Can Make
Beloved, when our Lord Jesus Christ stood in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles and said,
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
— John 8:12 (NKJV)
He wasn’t just making a poetic statement. He was revealing something divine—something only God Incarnate could say.
He had just forgiven the sinful woman and set her free. Then He gave sight to the man born blind. And between these two acts—releasing someone from spiritual darkness, and restoring physical sight—He declares: “I am the Light.”
This is not simply about light we see with our eyes. It is about light that restores the soul, that reveals truth, that brings eternal life.
1. The Light That Reveals – Christ Exposes the Darkness
Why does the Lord begin with light? Because light exposes. You cannot walk rightly unless you see rightly.
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
— John 3:19 (NKJV)
Light reveals our path—but it also reveals our faults. St. Peter, when standing before the Light of Christ, cried out:
“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” — Luke 5:8
In the same way, when we draw near to Christ, we begin to see ourselves clearly. Not to feel ashamed—but to be healed. Only in His light do we see the truth about our sin, our wounds, and His mercy.
Let Me Share a Story: The Candle in the Dark Room
There was once a little boy who was terrified of the dark. Every night he would cry, convinced that monsters were hiding in the corners of his room. One evening, his grandmother came in holding a small candle. She gently placed it beside his bed and said, “You don’t need a floodlight to chase away darkness. Even a little flame can defeat it.”
As the candle flickered, the shadows changed. What he thought were monsters turned out to be books on shelves and clothes on chairs. The light revealed the truth—and his fear vanished.
His grandmother smiled and said, “This is what the light of Christ does for us. It doesn’t just make things visible—it shows us what is real. It casts out fear, not by force, but by clarity.
In the same way, Christ’s light doesn’t come to condemn us—it comes to reveal, heal, and restore. In His presence, we no longer need to fear what’s in the dark, because He is the truth, and He is with us.
“For everyone practicing evil hates the light… But he who does the truth comes to the light.”
— John 3:20–21 (NKJV)
2. The Light That Gives Life – Christ Is the Source of Growth
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
— John 1:4 (NKJV)
Just as plants cannot grow without sunlight, the soul cannot grow without Christ. Light does not just expose—it revives.
St. James writes:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.” — James 1:17 (NKJV)
God’s light is healing. That’s why the early Church Fathers called the Eucharist “the medicine of immortality.” It is Christ—the Light—entering into our darkness and raising us to newness.
And just as sunlight chases away disease, so His light dispels spiritual death.
3. The Light That Guides – Christ Is the Way
Remember how God led His people through the wilderness with a pillar of fire?
“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud…and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.”
— Exodus 13:21 (NKJV)
Christ fulfills this in the New Covenant. He is the Light that goes before us—not only to lead us, but to bring us safely home.
“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.”
— John 11:9 (NKJV)
When you follow Christ, you walk without stumbling. Even if storms come, even if the path is narrow—you walk with light.
Story: The Feast of Tabernacles and the Great Light
At the time Jesus said these words, the Jews were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles—commemorating the wilderness journey. During this feast, they lit four giant golden lampstands in the temple courtyard. Their light could be seen across all Jerusalem.
It was during this celebration of light that Jesus stood and said:
“I am the light of the world.”
He was saying: I am the Light that led you in the wilderness. I am the One who dwelt in the tabernacle. I am the fulfillment of every shadow.
As St. Cyril of Alexandria writes:
“Christ is not a light among many—He is the true Light. Not one who receives light, but the One who gives it.”
— Commentary on John 8
4. The Light That Triumphs – Darkness Cannot Overcome
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
— John 1:5 (NKJV)
The word comprehend here also means overcome. Darkness cannot conquer light. Judas betrayed Jesus at night, but the darkness of betrayal could not put out the Light of God.
“Now it was night… and Satan entered him.”
— John 13:30, 27 (NKJV)
Yet even then, Christ allowed the darkness only for a time—only until His work was finished. Then He rose—victorious Light bursting from the tomb.
So no matter what darkness surrounds you—fear, guilt, sin, despair—it cannot extinguish His Light.
5. The Light That Leads to Eternity – Christ Defeated Death
“Our Savior Jesus Christ… has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
— 2 Timothy 1:10 (NKJV)
He is not only the Light of the world—He is the Light of the next world.
The resurrection was the rising of the Sun on a new day for humanity. And that light, beloved, never sets.
A Call to You: “Walk While You Have the Light”
“A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.”
— John 12:35 (NKJV)
The opportunity to walk in the light is a gift—but it won’t last forever. Now is the time to return. Now is the time to confess, to be illumined, to shine.
So let each of us pray:
“Lord Jesus, I am the blind man. I am the sinner. But You are the Light. Come into my darkness and give me light. Forgive me, heal me, guide me. For I want to walk with You.”
And then, beloved, you will shine.
“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NKJV)
May the Lord bless us, transform our hearts and minds,
that our homes may stand on the Rock,
our hands serve in the harvest,
and our hearts long for Heaven. Amen.