walking in the light
Pastor Frank Park | Founding and Senior Pastor
Scripture: John 8:12-30
In John 8:12, Jesus makes a staggering declaration:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
He doesn’t say He brings light. He doesn’t say He reflects light. He says He is the light.
In Scripture, light represents truth, purity, revelation, and the very presence of God. Darkness represents confusion, sin, blindness, and separation. Jesus is drawing a line in the sand: there is no neutral ground. You are either walking in light or you are walking in darkness.
Light Reveals
The Pharisees immediately challenge Him. They question His testimony, His authority, and His identity. Why? Because light exposes.
Light doesn’t just comfort, it confronts. It reveals what’s hidden. It exposes what we’ve grown comfortable with in the dark.
Jesus tells them they judge “according to the flesh.” They see physically, but they are spiritually blind. They know the law, but they do not know the Lawgiver standing before them.
How easy it is to do the same.
We can know theology but not know Him.
We can know church culture but not walk in His light. We can speak about truth but resist being transformed by it.
Light Requires Following
Jesus says, “Whoever follows me…”
Light is not admired from a distance. It is followed.
To follow Christ means:
The Tragic Warning
Jesus tells them, “You will die in your sins unless you believe that I am He.”
Those are sobering words.
Darkness isn’t just ignorance. It’s deadly. Separation from the Light leads to death. But belief in Him leads to “the light of life.”
NOTICE: Belief isn’t mere intellectual agreement. It’s surrender. It’s allegiance. It’s trust.
The Cross Will Clarify
In verse 28, Jesus says, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.”
He’s pointing to the cross.
The ultimate display of light shining in darkness wasn’t a sermon, it was a sacrifice.
At Calvary, the world’s hatred collided with heaven’s love. Sin was exposed. Mercy was offered. And the Light refused to be extinguished.
The cross proves that God is holy, sin is serious and that grace is greater.
For Reflection:
In John 8:12, Jesus makes a staggering declaration:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
He doesn’t say He brings light. He doesn’t say He reflects light. He says He is the light.
In Scripture, light represents truth, purity, revelation, and the very presence of God. Darkness represents confusion, sin, blindness, and separation. Jesus is drawing a line in the sand: there is no neutral ground. You are either walking in light or you are walking in darkness.
Light Reveals
The Pharisees immediately challenge Him. They question His testimony, His authority, and His identity. Why? Because light exposes.
Light doesn’t just comfort, it confronts. It reveals what’s hidden. It exposes what we’ve grown comfortable with in the dark.
Jesus tells them they judge “according to the flesh.” They see physically, but they are spiritually blind. They know the law, but they do not know the Lawgiver standing before them.
How easy it is to do the same.
We can know theology but not know Him.
We can know church culture but not walk in His light. We can speak about truth but resist being transformed by it.
Light Requires Following
Jesus says, “Whoever follows me…”
Light is not admired from a distance. It is followed.
To follow Christ means:
- Trusting His words over your feelings
- Obeying even when you don’t fully understand
- Letting His truth reshape your life
The Tragic Warning
Jesus tells them, “You will die in your sins unless you believe that I am He.”
Those are sobering words.
Darkness isn’t just ignorance. It’s deadly. Separation from the Light leads to death. But belief in Him leads to “the light of life.”
NOTICE: Belief isn’t mere intellectual agreement. It’s surrender. It’s allegiance. It’s trust.
The Cross Will Clarify
In verse 28, Jesus says, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.”
He’s pointing to the cross.
The ultimate display of light shining in darkness wasn’t a sermon, it was a sacrifice.
At Calvary, the world’s hatred collided with heaven’s love. Sin was exposed. Mercy was offered. And the Light refused to be extinguished.
The cross proves that God is holy, sin is serious and that grace is greater.
For Reflection:
- Where in your life are you tempted to walk in shadows instead of light?
- Are you following Jesus or simply agreeing with Him from a distance?
- What might the Light be exposing in you right now?