John 8:12 AMP
[12] Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
As it was always the case, Jesis always had a crowd following Him. It is also important to note that the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and teachers of the law were also always around Him. It was not that the leaders liked or loved Him, but they saw Him as a threat to their dominance, influence and control over the people. These leaders used every chance and opportunity they had to oppose Him. You have to have a clear sense of purpose in order to focus on what God has assigned you to do. There will be distractions along the way; there will be people who pretend to like you but will seek ways to harm you. Not everyone in your circle is on your side.
That was very obvious in the chapter from where the verse above is taken. The scribes and Pharisees, in their hypocrisy, brought a woman who had been caught in adultery before Jesus, seeking His view on the right punishment. Yes, the law prescribed death to anyone committing adultery, but only the woman was brought. The scribes wanted to find a way to trip Jesus up, but the Wisdom and Power of God would not be defeated. In His wisdom, He did not excuse the sin, but He went to the root of all humanity, asking anyone who was without sin to be the first to cast a stone in judgment. What a way to put us on notice that we need help.
Of course, in a moment of true honesty and sincerity, all the accusers left. They all knew that they were not without sin, and Jesus too, in His mercy, was not going to add to the woman's condemnation. He simply charged her to go, and sin no more. That is a message of hope to everyone struggling with sin. Sin and judgment will not be the final word in your life, if only you take advantage of the offer of life that has been made. This gift is of and from God, and it is available for anyone, no matter the weight of the past, the pressure of the present, or the uncertainty of the future. The One who offers is the One speaking in the verse above.
As He addressed the crowd then, so does He address us all today: I am the Light of the world. There is darkness all around, but in and by me, you have guidance, direction, hope and peace. The world cannot generate this kind of light: you cannot give what you do not have. The world is under the control and influence of the devil, and he is not able to help anyone attain the Life that is in Jesus. You access all He gives by total surrender. The verse invites us all to follow Him. It is a matter of freewill; God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Be sure that He is able to keep to the end anything that is committed into His hand. Are you His? Does He own you? God's time of favour is here.
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