John 8:12-30 THE LIGHT OF LIFE Available to everyone is the light of spiritual life that Jesus spoke of when He was in the treasury part of the temple. Some have said there was light shining on the gold colored containers people put their tithes and offerings in like the woman who put in two mites. Whatever was the case, the people were still conscious of spiritual need even after the week long feast was over. In our world of spiritual and moral darkness, many people are discontented and dissatisfied with they have experienced in their lives. Those who believe on Him today, the same as those who believed on Jesus when He was here, will experience the "light of life" when they follow Him. In this way we rise above all that appeals only to our fleshly nature and begin to experience the blessings of living in fellowship with God. Then we can see beyond the deterioration of things around us to the reasons behind the events God is allowing to happen.
In a clear statement as to His deity, Jesus declared publicly that people could experience light in their own lives in spite of the spiritual darkness all around them. They would be able to know divine guidance even though the times are uncertain. When other people are in doubt as to what is going to happen next to them and in the world, those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will have the knowledge and assurance that God is in control. Those who believe on Him and have the light of life, have meaning and goals in life while others who do not believe on Him live purposeless and hopeless lives. Life really begins as God intends it for us, after there has been true repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Pharisees who continued to criticize Jesus and who hoped to catch Him in some illegality, passed their judgment on Him because He testified of Himself as to who He is. Passing judgment in the flesh is done by human standards and outward appearance. Such judgment is imperfect and superficial. That is only done by comparing another person by ourselves or other failing mortal men. The Lord Jesus plainly said to the Jews who were challenging Him, that not only did He have the right to say who He is, but the Father supported His claim. The judgment of God was not only supported by two divine Persons making it legal, but by the public signs and miracles Jesus did in the view of them all. Still they mocked Jesus and His statement of unity with the Father. To deny the Son is to deny the Father. To mock the Son is to mock the Father and Jesus told those men what we need to remember today - words of mockery and denial of God come from beneath, come from Satan.
Even though those Jews who opposed Jesus so openly wanted to take Him and kill Him, there was no way they could do that because he had all power over creation, sin and every evil power. He has the authority to subdue all things to His will. There was nothing men could do against Him "except it were given to thee from above." They rejected Jesus' claims and still demanded evidence of His authority and deity. Spiritual blindness is caused by Satan and people can also choose to deliberately not see what is right in front of them. When the Lord said He was going away, those who opposed Him foolishly mocked Him about committing suicide. In their darkness they would die in their sins because they continued to reject Christ and be controlled by Satan.
Over and over Jesus affirmed His deity in many ways. The "I AM" is the Light of the world. He is in prefect unity with the Father. He said plainly, "I AM HE," and yet they did not understand nor accept the fact of His deity. Right from the beginning of His ministry there was evidence in His words and deeds that Jesus is the Son of God. He told those people who would not believe on Him that He would be lifted up on the cross and they would then know that God was in Christ. The supernatural darkness that lasted three hours when Jesus was on the cross was obviously an act of God. The earthquake at the moment He dismissed His spirit was clearly an act of God. So was the renting of the veil from the top to the bottom at that same moment. Then there was also the great earthquake at the time of His resurrection. All of these things that happened were out of man's ability to control. Those who believe on Him need to follow Him. When they do they will know the truth and the truth will set them free from doubt, fear, spiritual darkness and despair, and they will walk in the light with the Lord Himself. Spiritual blindness is removed when one remembers the cross-work of Christ and the redemption He provided for all who will believe on Him.
In this eighth chapter of John there is conflict and hostility directed at Jesus as the Jews sought to discredit Him, deny Him and ultimately destroy Him. The same is happening today. People are denying the existence of God and the deity of Christ, and are militantly opposing anything that even mentions Jesus as the only Lord and Savior of mankind. In this chapter there is willful unbelief and blindness that accompanies the rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is an unexplainable darkness and blindness over people who hear the Gospel and cannot seem to grasp the meaning of what Christ has done for them. To believe on Him seems too simple a means of salvation to many people. Spiritual deadness in trespasses and sins continues until such times as each individual believes in their heart on the Lord Jesus Christ and confesses with their mouth that He is Lord.
In contrast to the spiritual blindness and deadness of unbelievers, there is the Light of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, illuminating the darkness with His words of truth and salvation. The life that follows faith in Christ, affects every part of the life of a follower of Him. There is understanding that comes about things that were previously hidden from the mind by unbelief. There is clarity as to who Jesus is, why He came, and the blessings that accompany salvation. God's grace illuminates the darkness of the sin of this world, and the glory of God is revealed in those who believe on Jesus as well as in their worship, praise and thanksgiving for Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
The contrasts of unbelief and the bright glory of faith in God is seen in this part of John eight. It begins with "I Am the Light of the world," and concludes with, "I do always those things that please Him." There were those who believed on Him as a result of what He said. Perhaps some only believed on the things He said, but there were many who "believed on Him." What a blessing it would be today if people would get beyond religion and personal ideas, and simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.