Red Letters : How Jesus Described Himself // "I Am the Light of the World"

John 8:12 NIV 

12 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.” 

1. His Light is meant to REVEAL 

John 8:6-8 NIV 

6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

Jeremiah 17:13 NIV 

13 Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water. 

John 8:9-11 NIV 

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” 

John 9:1-5 NIV 

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 

2. His Light is meant to RESTORE 

John 12:35-36 NIV 

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. 

3. His Light is meant to REFLECT 

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV 

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

Questions: 

1. The Light of Christ is meant to reveal the state of our own hearts, as well as the loving and forgiving heart of the Father. What does that statement mean to you on a personal level? How have you experienced this in your own life? 

2. When you consider the fact that Christ's Light is meant to restore us, have you experienced a specific time or season, where you saw this play out in you? Have you ever been used by God to be a healing agent for someone else? If so, please describe that experience and how it affected you. 

3. Christ’s light, ultimately, is to be reflected from Believers to others. Do you see this within your own local church? If so, describe how you see this in action within your community of Believers, as well as on a personal level.