Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

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Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I AM the Light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness
but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12

First of all, let us look at a few principles of light:

What is it?
Light usually refers to visible light, which is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye and is responsible for the sense of sight.

How does light travels?
One of light‘s characteristic properties is that, in a transparent medium like air, glass, or still water, it travels in a straight line. Light exhibits characteristics of both waves and particles, the latter of which are described as packets of energy called photons.

What is the purpose of light?
— Brightens
— Illuminates
— Enlightens

Now Jesus is coming to tell us that He is THE Light of the world, what does that mean? This means:

• He removes darkness and deception by illuminating the right way to God and salvation.
• All those who follow Jesus are delivered from the darkness of sin, the world, and Satan. Those who still walk in darkness do not follow Him (John 1:6-7).
• “Whoever follows Me…” is a present participle, depicting a continuing action—“whoever keeps on following Me…”. Jesus recognized and requires only a persevering discipleship.

Now physical light travels faster than sound, so therefore Jesus must travel fast, therefore people should receive Him in no time since He will brighten their lives immediately.

As believers today we count ourselves lucky to have this Light in us but the question will be do we actually realize we have this Light? I AM is in present tense meaning the Light is always there even though it’s more than 2000 years ago Jesus went to Heaven.  But remember this—

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8

Therefore the Light is still fresh in us. We must let it shine in our lives. And as it brightens in us…as it illuminates us…as it lightens or shines in us…we should also light the world for we are carrying The Light.  Let us reflect Who and what we are carrying so that we do not mislead people into following us.  This Light (Jesus) brings light to darkness therefore wherever we are there should be a sign that, indeed, the Light of the world is there.  May those that are in despair find relief and those that are in darkness find Light and Life again.

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Father, hallowed be Thy name.  Lord, make me realize that I am carrying the Light of the world and so I am the Light, too.  Let this Light be hope to the hopeless, life to the dying, illumination to darkness and peoples’ lives.  Let my deeds and my character be that of Christ…for I am His follower.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.