Why does Jesus Christ identify himself as the “light of the world”?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Christ introduces himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12). When he says, “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) He is not literally talking about light, but about spirituality and spiritual guidance.
Here are some reasons why Jesus Christ called himself the light of the world:
Illuminating the Darkness of Sin: Sin is often described as darkness in the Bible. With his teachings and life, Jesus offers a way out of the darkness of sin and find forgiveness and salvation.
Guidance and model: Jesus provides a model to follow and live according to spiritual and moral values. He shows people how to live with love, forgiveness and sacrifice.
Hope and Salvation: Jesus Christ offers hope and salvation to those who are in the darkness of despair and confusion. He shows that salvation and eternal life are possible by following him.
Bringing truth to light: Jesus brings truth to light in a world often mixed with lies and deception. He helps people to understand the world around them correctly and find the purpose and meaning of life.
Jesus Christ, our eternal light
By believing in God, we are honored and privileged to serve God who is the eternal source of light. He gives us the light we need for physical, mental, and emotional growth, as well as light for spiritual growth.
In John 8:12, Jesus tells us that he is the light of the world and whoever follows him will no longer walk in darkness.
The beauty and symbolism of this phrase, like so many verses throughout the Bible, is as comforting and reassuring as it is powerful.
If we look at the book of John, one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life, it is clearly stated that Jesus is the Son of God and came to save the world (John 1:19-51).
But as John recounts the stories of Jesus’ teaching, performing miracles, and finally the seven “I am” declarations where he said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8), controversy arises and angers the religious leaders. and confuses the crowd.
Jesus Christ knew that he would face resistance, but he also knew that Israel was in dire need of a spiritual change. He did not come to introduce himself as a rabbi or another teacher, but to offer them a way to experience a new life and transformation (John 2:3-2).
Thus, Jesus Christ sets the stage in these “I am” statements woven throughout John 2-12, declaring who He is and, moreover, who we are as His followers.
Soon after the memorable story of feeding thousands with five barley loaves and two little fish, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). The second phrase “I am” is uttered on the Feast of Arafat, a Jewish festival of thanksgiving for the harvest and giving thanks to God for His provision and guidance during the 40 years of wandering in the desert.
During this feast, all Jewish men would appear before God in the temple. Jesus stood before them and revealed himself again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Today in the article : Why does Jesus Christ identify himself as the “light of the world”? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
