The Light of the World

There are several contrasting themes set forth in John's gospel.  One, of course, is the overriding contrast between belief and unbelief.  This is explicitly stated toward the end of the gospel as John writes about his purpose.  "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book.  But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ." (John 20:30-31)  Another equally dominant contrasting theme is the one between light and darkness.  The first Words of the prologue speak of the eternal light upon which every created thing, both inanimate and animate, are dependent. (John 1:1-5)  Later in the text we hear Jesus identifying Himself as this eternal light as He declares, "I am the Light of the world."  (John 8:12) 

It is a statement so large it cannot possibly be comprehended by those with finite minds.  What Jesus is saying is something that goes beyond any image we might carry with us of light in the darkness.  A candle is too small.  A shining lighthouse is not big enough.  Even the sun which sends its light across the universe only gives a glimpse of the inherent eternal Light of the Christ.  One of the places in the Word where we must go to see with eyes veiled is the first chapter of Genesis which actually speaks of two lights.  One is a lesser light and is known as the sun.  The second which is actually mentioned first before the second is the greater light and is the eternal light which gives light to everything that has been, is in the present, and still to come in the future.  It is the same light of which John speaks in those first few words of his prologue.  

Even as the creation which includes the things of the heaven, the things of the earth, the living creatures, the flying animals, and the man and woman, all dependent on this eternal light, so does Jesus speak of Himself as the Light of the world to declare Himself to be the light upon which the soul of humankind is dependent if it is to live according to the holy purpose for which it was created.  Reclaiming and being restored to our identity as one who bears the essence of the Creator is impossible without standing within the power of this Eternal Light, first present in creation, and now present in the Incarnate One who came to live among us and reveal Himself to us as "the Light of the world."