[This year, I am blessed to welcome a group of friends to gather around my table once a month to study “WHO JESUS IS” (NavPress, 2022), an in-depth look at the “I AM” statements of the LORD JESUS recorded in John’s gospel.

I pray this new series of monthly reflections from our discussions will be a blessing and encouragement that reaches far beyond our kitchen table.]

𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 (𝘯𝘰. 𝟸): ⁣⁣
𝘞𝘏𝘖 𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚 𝘐𝘚 – 𝘐 𝘈𝘔 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥

Before we delve into our lesson, what do we know about “light” that might position us to fully appreciate what JESUS was saying about Himself when He declared “I AM the Light of the World?”  

A dictionary search highlights several interesting thoughts about “light”: “visible, luminous energy,” “brightness,” “to set something burning, to ignite,” “a natural agent that stimulates sight.”  Light exposes truth that has been obscured and illuminates our understanding.  Light “eradicates darkness!”  Light and darkness are opposites.  The two cannot co-exist.  When light is present, it overcomes darkness, but darkness can never snuff out light when it is shining!  Light also shines in rays or waves; it does not create something new, it simply allows us to see what is already there.  

Thinking through some references to “light” in the Bible, it is so comforting to remember the pillar of fire that traveled with the children of Israel for 40 years through the wilderness.  That pillar represented the presence of GOD, always with them to provide for them, to protect them, and to guide them.  “You led our ancestors… by a pillar of fire at night so they could find their way” (Nehemiah 9:12, NLT).  The dark, desolate wilderness can be very scary; how reassuring to know that GOD is with us to light (and warm) our way.  

GOD is the Creator and source of light: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).  The psalmist prayed, “let the light of Your face shine upon us” (Psalm 4:6), “that we may walk in the light of Your Presence” (Psalm 89:15), for He is “the fountain of life, the light by which we see” (Psalm 36:9).  Scripture describes almighty, eternal GOD in dazzling terms: “He is clothed in resplendent light” (Psalm 76:4), “wraps Himself in light” (Psalm 104:2), and the “glory of GOD gives light” (Revelation 21:23).  The LORD JESUS is described as “the true Light that gives us life” (John 1:9), the One who is “the radiance of GOD’s glory and the exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3).  “He has made His light shine in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 4:6).  “He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Before looking deeper into our passage in John 9, it is wonderful to ponder what “light” tells us about the heart and character of GOD.  “Light” is a beautiful descriptor of His very essence.  The LORD is the author and source of light, flooding our world with clarity, hope, and joy, and infusing our hearts with His fresh perspective.  His presence with us and the work of His Spirit within us help us to see things in their best light, to overcome any darkness that threatens us, providing warmth, sight, guidance, relief, and strength.  As with all other blessings from Him, GOD’s light is freely available to us in abundance.  His light gives us glimpses of His glory in the most unlikely places.  How staggering to imagine that His work in our lives, even when, especially when those lives feel broken and marred, is a channel through which His light can shine through us to others!

Among other ways, JESUS shines as Light of the World when He displays the work of GOD, the Father, through challenges in our lives.  This truth is so clearly displayed in our passage.  

“In Jesus’ day, blindness prevented people from meeting their own basic needs.  Sight would not only be life-changing but also life-giving.  In John 9, JESUS gives sight to a man born blind, proving His claim that He is the Light of the World by illuminating darkness not just physically but spiritually.” (the Navigators writing team)

Our little study group shared so many interesting observations and insights from this account:

THE MAN BORN BLIND

This poor man had been blind since birth.  He lived his entire life in darkness.  He probably would have struggled to understand how “receiving sight” could alter his experience.  His other senses would have been heightened, so hearing JESUS’ voice and feeling His touch would have meant so much to him.  JESUS’ simple directions to “go and wash” compelled this man to obey without question or hesitation.  

He was so changed that life-long neighbors didn’t even recognize him!  The man was unable to answer most of their questions, honestly and repeatedly stating “I don’t know.”  However, the man wasn’t shy about speaking the one thing he did know with certainty, “I was blind and now I can see!”

THE ONLOOKERS

This man’s own neighbors weren’t sure if he was the person they thought they knew.  Was this because they took little notice of him as a blind beggar?  Even the disciples made false assumptions about this man and his parents.  The LORD JESUS realigned their thinking, declaring that this man’s blindness was not a result of sin, but an avenue through which the work of GOD could be displayed.  

JESUS exposed the sadness of our human tendency to categorize certain people and treat them differently based on those prejudices.  JESUS demonstrated His own heart of compassion that simply saw a man in need and stepped in to help him.  He had come to display the work of the Father, to make the Father known to any who would see His works, hear His words, and believe the truth that His Son was sent to be their Savior.  What an amazing opportunity to display (to ALL who were watching) the Father’s power and authority over creation by giving sight to a blind man!

THE JEWISH LEADERS

These religious leaders were described as “blind” (by definition, “unable to see,” “unwilling to perceive or understand,” “to make obscure or dark”).  Steeped in the law of Moses to which mere men had added hundreds of their own regulations, and deeply entrenched in their own traditions, they placed more value in the status quo they clung to than in hungering to understand GOD’s heart.  Anything that didn’t fit in a box of their own making simply wasn’t acceptable.  Their fierce determination to defend what they believed to be “right” blinded them to the glorious miracle unfolding right before their eyes.  The now-seeing man incredulously insisted, “[don’t you see?], He opened my eyes! … Since the beginning of time, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind!”  

As someone recently said, “they may have been legally correct about many things, but they didn’t sound like JESUS.”  These leaders showed no compassion.  There was no evidence that they had any true relationship with the blind man.  They were unable to rejoice with him or to marvel at the astounding work of GOD in his life.  He was just another thorn in their side, calling into question their teachings and authority.  Pride in their position prevented them from humbly acknowledging truth and seeking to understand how JESUS truly fulfilled the law rather than breaking it.  In their darkness, they were unable to comprehend the Light.  In their unwillingness to perceive the truth, they chose to remain in the dark.   

In Romans, we read of this tragic choice: “they wouldn’t worship GOD or even give Him thanks.  They began to think up foolish ideas of what GOD was like.  As a result, their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.  Instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living GOD, they … traded the truth about GOD for a lie… and suppressed the truth” (Romans 1:18, 21-25).  In Matthew, we read JESUS’ words of warning to them: “Great sorrow awaits you religious leaders.  You do all you can to keep people from experiencing the reality of heaven’s kingdom.  Not only do you refuse to enter in, you also prevent others from entering in!” (Matthew 23:13-14, TPT)

The condition of these Jewish leaders seems hopeless.  But even into their darkened hearts, the LORD JESUS was seeking to shine His light.  Could it have been His compassion for them that led Him to expose their misplaced confidence and faulty thinking, to separate hypocrisy from genuine belief?  JESUS wanted people to know Him, to know the Father, to accept His sacrifice and redeeming grace!  His longing for these Jewish leaders was no different.  His desire was to lead them out of spiritual darkness into His marvelous light.  Praise GOD we read that some of those leaders did come to see and embrace the truth, to believe in JESUS! (John 12:42)

JOURNEY TO CONFIDENT BELIEF

It was so interesting to see the blind man’s progression in speaking the truth of who JESUS is… “the man they call JESUS” –> “a prophet” –> “He must be from GOD” –> “Son of Man” –> “LORD.”  As he articulated the reality of GOD in his life, his faith and voice grew stronger.  

The LORD JESUS had allowed him to face many probing questions, accusations, and twisted truths on his own.  Was it JESUS’ mysterious kindness, giving him space to reach his own understanding and deeply held belief in the truth?  We often learn so much as we wrestle!  The dialogue with which the Jewish leaders intended to challenge and ridicule him provided the chance for him to process and unlearn misconceptions.  As he searched for words to convey his thoughts, truths he knew from Old Testament teachings came to life in front of him, in the Person and work of the LORD JESUS.  Without fully realizing who JESUS was, this man was given the Light that leads to life (John 8:12)!  

No one could dissuade him from the reality he was living.  He knew in the core of his being that a work of GOD alone had been done in his body and in his heart.  Nothing would ever take that away from him.  When JESUS found him, rejected and tossed out of the synagogue, and revealed Himself, the man immediately called Him “LORD” and worshipped Him, confidently stating, “I believe!”

SPEAKING BOLDLY ABOUT JESUS

The simplicity of the blind man’s testimony is so powerful.  We are compelled to simply tell what we know to be true from our own experience, to bear witness of the reality of GOD in our hearts and our lives!  He gives each of us a deeply personal part of His story to tell.  

JESUS is worthy of our worship (the blind man’s immediate response) and touches our lives in ways that we cannot keep to ourselves.  Redeemed hearts cannot be silent!  Our first-hand accounts can be the means by which others come to know and trust Him.  Let’s not be shy about telling our stories – – the stories of JESUS!

So, what does JESUS’ declaration that He is the Light of the World tell us about Him, His heart, or His purposes?

JESUS is not just Someone to get to (like those pressing through crowds to reach Him), but the One who gets us through the darkness to see His light.  He removes the scales that blind us and dethrones human pride that so viciously derails us, so we can see truth (and falsehood) clearly.  

Our Savior is a Person (not a religious system) who has opened the way for us to enjoy a growing relationship with Him (not a script to follow).  His is a LIGHT that draws us to Himself, that guides us to salvation and safety, to the vibrance and power of His endless life!  His light exposes our faulty assumptions and our ill-placed confidences, dismantling what will only disappoint or harm us, and leads us to trust in Him alone.  He is always with us, dwelling within us, so wherever we are present, His light will shine!

“𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵! ⁣
𝘚𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘖𝘋, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦’𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵,⁣
𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦,⁣
𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦,⁣
𝘑𝘌𝘚𝘜𝘚, 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋, 𝘢𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩.”

(Josef Mohr)

This look back to LIGHT entering our world at the time of JESUS’ birth thrills our souls.  The end of our study pointed us to confident hope and wonder, as we now look forward to a coming day when, “the glory of GOD illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its Light… the nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory… its gates will never be closed at the end of the day because there is no night there” (Revelation 21:22-27).

Last month, we learned that JESUS is the Bread of Life, the One who satisfies our souls’ deepest hunger.  This month, it is precious to understand more fully that JESUS is also the Light of the World, the One who meets us in our darkness to touch us, illuminate our path, and compel us to worship Him.  He brings us to life, to walk in His light, igniting His own fire within us to tell His story with confidence and joy!