Gleanings for March 19

JESUS – LIGHT OF LIFE

John 8: 12 NKJV: “Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

John 9: 5 NKJV: “As long as I am in the world, I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”

There are two occasions recorded in which Jesus called Himself “the Light of the World.” The first one, is not included in some Bible translations, however, I believe this comment from the Amplified Bible makes a good reason for including it in our study. The footnote says:

“We do not find the verses from John 7: 53 to 8:11 in most of the older manuscripts, and those that have it sometimes place it elsewhere. The story may well be authentic. Indeed, Christ’s response of compassion and mercy shown in this incident is so much in keeping with His character that we accept it as authentic, and feel that to omit it would be most unfortunate.”

That, I believe is a very valid commentary about the verses which are omitted in some of the manuscripts passed down to us. The New King James footnote says: “There is little doubt that the incident actually occurred. The motive of the Pharisees was not passion for holiness but a desire to entrap Jesus in a dilemma as verse 8: 6 indicates: They wanted the woman caught in the act of adultery to be stoned. “This (the Pharisees) said, testing Him, so they might have something of which to accuse Him.”

The accusation spoken by the Pharisees turned on them when Jesus began “writing on the ground with His finger.” One by one they started to leave. Jesus’ words to the woman were: “Where are those accusers? Has no one condemned you?”

The answer of course was “No” then Jesus told her: “Neither do I condemn you, GO AND SIN NO MORE.” Jesus did not CONDONE the sin, He FORGAVE the one who was repentant!! The offer of forgiveness was followed by this statement:

“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” His next words are important, “Those who FOLLOW ME SHALL NOT walk in darkness but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE. As we keep LOOKING TO JESUS, there will be LIGHT on our path.

There is even further proof that the LIGHT of the world (the Light that Jesus bought for us) is still available for us—the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8 verse one: “There is therefore NOW NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh (the sense realm) but according to the SPIRIT.”

That is GOOD NEWS! The Light Jesus brings is a special, never ending LIGHT it is called—Abundant LIFE. We need not walk in darkness; we can have the Light of Life. The light of Jesus brings sight to both the spiritually and physically blind as is brought out in Chapter 9: 1 - 12. As we keep looking to Jesus we will realize more each day that:

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH!!!