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We have been reading in John Chapter 8 of Jesus Christ meeting that human darkness and studying how Jesus dealt with human darkness, where these men came with that woman caught in the act of adultery. They tried to corner Jesus, to trap Jesus, to catch Jesus, to ensnare Jesus, to tie Him up as He tried to answer their rather clever question.

Jesus dealt with them so ably, and we saw how Jesus dealt with the woman – lovingly but firmly – tenderly, but with a strong clear warning.

Jesus goes on to say, “I am the light of the world”. These next words are so powerful contrasted with what has just been confronting Him.

He takes the name of God, “I am” and He describes something of the nature and character of God.

I am the light – I am the God Who gives light – I am THE LIGHT – and I am the only source of real light which can be relied upon. He who follows me shat not walk in darkness.

Now these words would be especially significant to those who heard Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. Why? Well, it was the Feast of Tabernacles. A million or more Hebrews would be visiting Jerusalem, to remember the forty years wandering in the wilderness when Almighty God delivered His people from Egypt and from slavery, and in the Temple there were these great candelabra, around 75 feet high, to remind the Jews of the pillar of fire by which God gave them light, and by which God led them.

The darkness of men – the Feast or Festival of Remembrance – the great lights of remembrance in the Temple – and now these words of Jesus would have a very real and special meaning.

There is such a contrast between darkness and light in this passage and the light from the feast was about to go out, and it had not been all that bright anyway at this time. Jesus saw people unsatisfied and about to go away thirsty and hungry.

Have you ever been at a Conference or a special series of Meetings and you have gone away disappointed, not having been fed spiritually and refreshed for the ministry that lay ahead?

I am the light of the world. Follow Me!

When the pillar of fire moved, they had to move. They had to follow the fire. They had to move with God, and flow with God.

The fire gave them light in the darkness, and warmth during the cold wilderness nights, and guidance and direction. The people of God had to keep watching the pillar of fire, and when it moved, they had to be ready to move.

Now, Jesus is saying, I am the LIGHT of the WORLD. World, if you follow Me, you will never again get into a mess. I will lead you where you ought to go.

The conditions are – whoever follows – and the consequences are – such a person will have the light of life.

But remember, we did say that light can hurt to begin with. If you have suddenly come out of darkness – bright light first thing in the morning, when you wake up – coal miners coming up out of the pit – that can be sore, but only for a short time!

The light helps you see where you are, and shows you where you ought to go.

“I’ll hurt and I’ll help – I’ll expose and I’ll guide.”

Here is a spiritual truth that only a few see. Jesus is on the move just like the pillar of fire, and to follow Jesus, we must keep close. We must keep watchful. We must keep near HIM, and we must keep following.

This is more than just one decision to follow Jesus. It is a following.

Follow me. Keep up with me, or else you may discover yourself in a moral darkness – in an emotional crisis – or in spiritual darkness. When you consider the mess our world is presently in and when you compare these words of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, there is an enormous difference. It is an amazing offer, and yet millions just ignore the possibility and even those who have heard of the opportunity, decide to by-pass what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offers.

Jesus offers to keep us out of darkness PERMANENTLY – not out of danger – not out of suffering – but out of darkness.

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Hill