The Light of the World

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

     In our passage today Jesus is addressing the Jews.  Jesus declares to the Jews exactly whom He is!  He declares that he is the light of the world.  He came to shine a bright light into the darkness of a sinful world.  A world that was trying to work its way to heaven.  The glorious light that Christ was about to shine, was the Gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  Christ would die on the cross and pay the sin debt for all of mankind.  If we choose to follow Christ, we don't have to walk in darkness.  We don't have to be in bondage to sin.  We can have the light of life living within us.  We can allow that light to shine into the lives of others.
     Jesus laid down the litmus test for the Jews.  If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.  It was a matter of living a life that reflected the new light that shone within through their belief on Christ.  Their obedience demonstrated the reality of their conversion.  Our obedience demonstrates our relationship with Christ.
     In verse 32 Jesus tells the Jewish believers that they would see the truth of their decision become a reality in their lives.  The power of the truth at work in their life would set them free.  They no longer would be bound to the impossible task of perfectly keeping the Mosaic Law.  They would know the freedom of God's grace as they grew into the new life that God had for them.
     How about you?  Have you put your trust in the Light of the World?  If your world is becoming dark Jesus Christ stands waiting to shed light abroad in your life.  He wants you to know the truth that shall make you free.