John 8.12:
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.” (ESV)
It is difficult to understand all of what it means for Jesus to be “the light of the world”. But the Bible teaches about light and darkness in the same manner as right and wrong, holiness and evil, purity and sin. Jesus, the Light of the world, is the ultimate expression and reality of righteousness, holiness, and purity.
When Jesus revealed Himself to Saul of Tarsus, He did so in a brilliant, blinding light that is brighter than the sun. Saul reflexively referred to Jesus as “Lord”. It was settled in Saul’s life that Jesus is Lord, and in a big way the brilliant light of the presence of Jesus was persuasive. Saul was forever a changed person. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6.16 that Jesus lives in unapproachable light. If given the opportunity, we would not be able to look into the presence of Jesus.
In the verse above, the person who comes to Jesus will know the way to walk in the light, because Jesus will illuminate and show the way to walk in the light. The follower of Jesus will no longer be walking in darkness. The practical application for us is to follow the teaching of Jesus, as communicated in the Bible. Knowing how to walk in the light and obeying it will enable the follower to stay away from walking in darkness.