Jesus says He is many things over the course of his ministry. He says that he is the bread of life that brings eternal life to those who believe. In John 8, Jesus tells us that He is something else also. 

John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus tells the crowd that He is the light of the world. When there is light in darkness, people flock to it. The world is full of darkness, so when Jesus comes onto the scene, crowds start flocking to Him. Jesus says that whoever follows him will have the light of life. 

Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 5 that they are the light of the world. Jesus is the true light and we are to reflect and be that same light. He says in Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before others”. Our light is the good deeds mentioned in the next verse as well as this life that Jesus speaks of in John 8. We have the light of eternal life glowing in our hearts and lives as we live for Jesus. 

There are those though, who despise this light and they were present when Jesus spoke these words. In John 8:13, “The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid”. Their point was that Jesus’ claims were invalid because he is his own witness. 

Jesus goes on to say that the Father is also his witness and even if He was the only witness it would be true. This testimony and validity by both Himself and the Father proves that Jesus is the light he claims to be. He is the light to the darkness and the light of the world.