I came into the world as light (Sabong News)
Author
Manila Bulletin
Date
MAY 11 2022
Chapter 12 ends the first part of John’s Gospel called the “Book of Signs.” The miracles Jesus performed are signs that testify that he came from the Father. To accept them is to accept Jesus in faith and the Father who sent him. Before this Gospel passage, John says that many who witness Jesus’ miracles believe in him and dare to manifest their faith publicly. But some are afraid to confess their faith in him because they fear the Pharisees (v 42). John describes these as those who “preferred human praise to the glory of God” (v 43). Because of their unbelief, Jesus sees them as people groping in darkness. Faith in him generates light, for he “came into the world as light.”
There are occasions when our faith in Jesus is choked by fears. When this happens, let us pray that his light may dispel the darkness that prevents us from becoming courageous followers of Christ.
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
