Exposition of John, Chapter 8 · Verse 5
Verſe 12. Then ſpake Jeſus again unto them, ſaying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, ſhall not walk in darkneſſe, but ſhall have the light of life.
In the reſt of the Chapter, we have Chriſts preaching, conference and debates with ſeveral ſorts of hearers, which we will conſider in order as they lie. As for the time wherein this was done, we need not determine that it was on another day then that wherein he abſolved the adultereſſe, which ſome gather from this that the Phariſees were then gone out, verſe 9. and are now come in again, verſe 13. for it may be conceived, that theſe who now debate with him, were ſome others then they who had brought in the woman, who remained among the multitude, to watch for all advantages; or, it needs not be thought ſtrange, that even they ſhould have ſo much impudence, as ſhortly to return back, to oppoſe his Miniſtry ſo much as they could.
In the firſt place, in this verſe we have Chriſt returning to his office of preaching, after that interruption made by the Scribes and Phariſees, and making a rich offer of himſelf, which occaſions all the ſubſequent debates and diſcourſes. And in it, taking occaſion (as would appear) of the Sunnes riſing and bright ſhining in the morning, he holds out himſelf as the true Sun of righteouſneſſe and light of the world; offering to all theſe who follow him, that they ſhall not onelyonly have preſent light to order and ſweeten their walking, but that this light ſhall bring life with it, and lead to eternal life. Whence learn, 1. Whatever interruptions wicked men lay in Chriſts way, yet he will not be hindered from doing and offering good to ſinners: for, notwithſtanding they hindered him in preaching, verſe 2, 3. Yet now he returns to it again, Then ſpake Jeſus again unto them. 2. There is no better way to conciliate love to Chriſt, then to ſtudy to know him well, in his natures, excellencies, riches, and free offers to ſinners: Therefore doth he commend himſelf here that they may follow him, I am the light of the world, &c See Pſal. 9.10. Rev. 15.3, 4. 3. The whole world lies in darkneſſe of it ſelf, being ignorant of miſery, and of the remedy thereof, following the works of darkneſſe, and liable to affliction, wrath, and want of comfort, and to be caſt into outer darkneſſe, where there is weeping and gnaſhing of teeth: for, ſo is imported in this Doctrine, that without Chriſt, mankinde are as the world is without the Sunne, and the uſe of theſe lights which are enlightened thereby. 4. The remedy of this ſad condition is onelyonly to be had in Chriſt, and he is able to cure all this darkneſſe, by enlightening the minde, and cauſing men to know themſelves, by diſcovering and diſpelling the works of darkneſſe, removing of wrath and miſery, giving clear and wholſome directions in duty, and chearing up and warming the hearts of his own with his comforts: for, ſaith he, I am the light of the world. See Ch. 1.4, 5, 9. The Father is indeed a light to which no man can approach, and before whom Angels do cover their faces; but this light being revealed in the Sonne, is brought near, and made comfortable unto men. And his Inſtruments and Meſſengers are called lights, becauſe they inſtrumentally conveigh this light which cometh originally from him. 5. Chriſt's grace and light is not confined to one place or ſort of perſons, but is patent to the world, and to men of all ranks and conditions in it; Therefore is he called the light of the world. 6. They who would participate of the riches that are in Chriſt, ought to take him for their guide, and follow him, neither preſuming to go before and preſcribe unto him, nor yet loitering and lying by when he, in his example and directions, is going before; for, the advantage of this offer is, to him that followeth me, ſaith he. 7. As it is the duty of men who would partake of Chriſts riches, to follow him; So they who follow him indeed, will employ all the comfort they finde in him, to enable and encourage them to duty, and will account it ſufficient, if they be enabled to walk after him, whatever their lot be otherwiſe. Therefore is the promiſe held out containing what they may expect in walking. 8. They who follow Chriſt, may expect that in his light they ſhall ſee light; They will not be left in darkneſſe of ignorance, nor under the power of the wayes of darkneſſe, or under the danger of outer darkneſſe: And albeit ſometime they may be left under a dark condition, wanting comfort, and feeling wrath, Iſa. 50.10. Yet neither is that their allowance, nor ſhall they conſtantly walk ſo, or be left altogether under ſuch a condition, but, in due time, ſhall have light ariſing in darkneſſe: for, ſo is the promiſe, he ſhall not walk in darkneſſe, but ſhall have light. 9. The light that comes from Chriſt will have quickening life accompanying it, and doth in the iſſue tend to eternal life, whereas the falſe light of the wicked, ends in ſorrow, Iſa. 50.11. Therefo…e is it ſaid, he ſhall have the light of life, or, that light which is accompanied with the preſent life of holineſſe, which in due time will end in eternal life.