Recap of 5/27/12 (John 8:12-30):

1.  In the second of seven “I am” statements in the Book of John, Jesus calls Himself “the Light of the world.”  The “I am” statements are meant to establish His identity as God; a reference to Exodus 3:14 where Jehovah identifies Himself to Moses as “I am,” the self-existent One who is God.  Each statement also shows His ability to meet all of the needs of the human condition.

2.  Jesus made this statement concerning Himself at the Feast of Tabernacles.  Dr. Ed Blum writes: “A major feature of the Feast of Tabernacles was the lighting of giant lamps in the women’s court in the temple.  The wicks were made from the priests’ worn=out garments.  The light illuminated the temple area and the people gathered to sing praises and dance.  The light reminded the Jewish people of how God was with them in their wanderings in the wilderness in a pillar of cloud which turned to fire at night (Num. 9:15-23).

3.  “Jesus professed to be not only the inexhaustible source of spiritual nourishment, but also the genuine light by which truth and falsehood could be distinguished and by which direction could be established.” (Dr. Merrill C. Tenney).