The Only Light

The Only Light

Read: John 8:12

“I am the light of the world.”

John 8:12

“When God spoke to humanity in Jesus, He said the last thing He has to say.”

—G. Campbell Morgan

IN WORD How the world wants to change this claim of Jesus! One little word would satisfy all of the religious pluralists in our culture. If only Jesus had said “I am a light of the world,” few would disagree. We live in an age when people like to grab a little light from here, a little from there, and even a little from Jesus Himself. For most, He is one source of illumination among many.

Adherents of most of the world’s religions have a remarkable admiration for Jesus, as long as He is a light. As soon as we remind a nonbeliever that His claim is far more exclusive—He is the light—we are accused of arrogance and intolerance, as though we were the ones who put those words in Jesus’ mouth. No, these are His words, not ours. The claim is His, and whoever has an argument with this exclusivity has an argument with Him.

IN DEED Do we ourselves heed these words? Aren’t we also sometimes guilty of seeking illumination from other sources? A little secular philosophy and psychology here, a little humanism and spiritism there? Or, perhaps a little closer to home, what about the editorials and advice columns in the morning paper? Or the mind and body experts? Does it all measure up to Christ?

Surely there is truth in some of mankind’s research and findings, we would counter, and we are probably right; many have discovered some elements of truth, even apart from Christ. But it must all be measured by Him. Only He may validate for us what is—and is not—light and truth. Ask yourself this: Is Jesus my only source of light? Does my view of His exclusivity measure up to His claim?