Leading The Way

May 2, 2025

The Light of the World

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Read John 8:12-20.

Jesus had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when God’s people remembered how the Lord had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. They also recalled how He had led them through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. It was in the midst of this celebration that Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

Jesus was telling the crowds in Jerusalem—and us in the twenty-first century—that He is the divine light housed in human flesh, the pillar of fire who leads His people through the night. His hearers would have understood the magnitude of Jesus’ claim—it was a part of their history.

God, who from the burning bush had revealed Himself as I AM to Moses, had heard the cries of His people and determined to rescue them from slavery in Egypt, resorting to plagues when Pharaoh refused to let His people go. For the ninth plague, total darkness covered Egypt for three days, yet “all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived” (v. 23). Only God could do that. Though darkness engulfed Egypt, He gave His people light.

Today, many of us cannot help but see the spiritual darkness that is engulfing our culture. But there is good news: Just as the children of Israel had light in their dwelling places while the rest of the land was dark, God’s children today can thrive in God’s light in the midst of the darkness of this world—through Jesus, the Light of the World.

Jesus called Himself “the light of the world” firstly because light radiates energy—it provides us with power. To walk with spiritual power in the midst of this dark world, we need Jesus. Secondly, light shows us the way. That is why Jesus said, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Lastly, light exposes whatever it is set upon. When we bring our sin into the light, no longer trying to hide it in the darkness, we can be forgiven. Scripture tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As the Light of the World, Jesus calls us out of darkness, that we might confess our sins, be forgiven, and live freely in His wonderful light forever.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for giving me Your light to lead me through this dark world. I have hope in all circumstances because You are with me. You give me strength, guide me, and purify me. I rejoice in Your lovingkindness! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“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 8:12).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon There Is an ‘I’ in the ‘I AM’, Part 2: LISTEN NOW

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Listen to Dr. Michael Youssef on today's broadcast of Leading The Way at OnePlace.com.
Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.