Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 ESV
I thought I was doing a pretty good job cleaning my room until I realized one day, direct sunlight exposed a fluffy pile of dog hair and dust at some corners of my room. That moment, I realized that there are certain things that I really can’t see without a light as strong as sunlight.
I’ve always related this story to how I came to know Jesus personally. I thought that I was a pretty good person until I met Jesus, who taught me how unrealistic and useless my own definition of ‘good person’ is. Looking at 10 commandments for the first time in my life, I couldn’t help but to say, “yes, I’ve failed in all these 10 commandments”. I hated accepting this reality, but at the same time it freed me to know where I truly stand, and to run to Jesus who actually did something about it so that we don't have to stand condemned.
I find it quite interesting how Jesus reveals Himself as The light of the world right after the appearance of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery,
and said “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.
Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”
John 8:3-5
It was a trap.
If Jesus says “Oh, just forgive this woman!”, He would be convicted as a fallacy who teaches others to break the Law Moses commanded.
If Jesus says, “Yes, let’s go ahead and stone her!”, He would be going against Roman law that did not allow such an act, since they were under Roman authority.
Jesus replies with quite an ingenious response.
Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.
John 8:7b
If I am bluntly honest, I sometimes find myself throwing a stone at other people and myself with my own skewed and narrow judgement. Every time Jesus exposes skewed judgment or sin, I’m grateful that it also comes with this word:
"Neither do I condemn you: go, and from now on sin no more.”
John 8:11b
which reminds me so much of Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Since He is not just “The Light” but “The Light of the World”, I want to share with you about one experience that I hold dear to my heart even to this day.
As a Japanese person who lived in China for a few years, I had several incidents where I felt very awkward knowing the historical wounds between Japan and China. I even had several occasions where I repented the sin of my own nation in front of my Chinese friends.
Every outcome was different.
Some said they will never forgive Japan, but there was a time of much grace that I would never forget.
In this particular occasion the response was not what I expected. Jesus stirred Chinese people’s hearts to repent on behalf of their own nation. For the first time, I felt like all of us were embraced by “The Light of the World”, standing forgiven, accepted, and united because of what He has done for us on the cross.
All glory to The Light of the World!
Artwork & Story by Keiko Iris Yamada
Music Director at Vine International Fellowship
P.S. You cannot only see this 'world' unless exposed by sunlight from the back! Fun trick that I've included in this artwork.
That hidden feature is so super cool! and Thank you for sharing your insight!