The book of John is a wonderful testimony of Jesus being God manifest in the flesh, the one and only Saviour of mankind, and includes seven distinct “I am” statements from Jesus in which he confirms his divinity, with each statement pointing to a specific attribute of the great “I AM” who revealed himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).
John 8:12 is the second of these seven “I AM” statements.
Related: The Divinity of Jesus Is Foolishness and a Stumblingblock to Them That Perish
Praise God that Jesus is the light of the world, the true Light and the long-prophesied light of the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6), the underlying word of which — ἔθνος — can be more simply translated as nations. Which, in turn, points back to being the light of the world, since the world is composed of nations.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:4-9)
In addition to what Jesus says about being the light of the world in John 8:12, he refers to being the light of the world, or the light that came into the world, three other times in the Book of John. The first, which actually precedes his “I am” statement in Chapter 8, is when he’s speaking to Nicodemus in Chapter 3.
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. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:19-21)
The other two references are in Chapter 9 and Chapter 12.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5)
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (John 12:46)
What a glorious God we serve!
John 8 Audio
John 8:12-18
12 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.
13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
