Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
John 8:12 (NIV)
Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 9:5 (NIV)
5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When Jesus tells us “you are the light of the world”, he is describing how every Christian has been given the gift of God’s light for the purpose of guiding and blessing others. Jesus explains this more fully in this passage. It explains that the true light is not our possession, but it comes from Christ. However, those who follow Christ will also have “the light of life”. This light is actually God’s truth, which frees us from Satan’s lies (John 8:43-47). When we know God’s truth and share it, we “illuminate” the lives of everyone we meet.