Christ is the Light of the World

by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut

Then Jesus went on with his teaching, which had been stopped by the bringing in of the woman by his enemies. He said:

"I am the light of the whole world. He who follows me and obeys my words will not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Many other things Jesus said to the people at that time; and some of those who heard him began to believe that he was a teacher come from God. To those who believed, he said:

"If you stand faithful to my words, you are truly my followers; and you shall understand the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

"What do you mean by those words, 'You shall be made free'?" said the people. "We are sprung from Abraham, and have never been slaves. How can we be made free?"

"In very truth, I tell you," answered Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave. Now the slave does not stay in the home always, but the son stays, for it is his home, and he has a right to be there. So, if the Son of the heavenly Father sets you free from sin, you will be free indeed."

As Jesus went on speaking, the people who listened became very angry. At last he said:

"Your great father Abraham longed to see the day when I should come to the earth; and he saw it coming, and it made him glad."

"Why," the Jews said, "you are not fifty years old, and do you say that Abraham saw you?"

"I tell you truly," answered Jesus, "before Abraham was born, I was living!"

At this, they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself from them and left the Temple.