One of the distinctions that appeared in Jesus’ ministry was His deity. He was not simply a great man, a great teacher, a healer, or a prophet. Jesus was God. As God, Jesus was the most inclusive man alive. Jesus hugged lepers, He regularly dined with the tax collectors and riff raff, within the communities. Jesus treated women with more love and respect than any in His culture, and Jesus was the hardest on the religious leaders, because they were so rigid and hypocritical.
Jesus wanted the world to understand that while relationship with Him was inclusive, it was also exclusive! Jesus made clear that there were not multiple routes to reaching the Father. Jesus Himself was the light and the life for the world. That was drove the leaders in Israel so mad. They had long ago put their entire spiritual investment into religious life. Following a set of laws and traditions. They had a pat formula that if followed to the letter was their hope for and in glory.
That is what makes Jesus revelation regarding being the light and life to the world tough. Unless one truly believes that He is Lord; not religion, tradition, or activity, then they will never experience the peace and security of salvation. One simply cannot earn nor maintain the credit needed obtain or to keep a gift. So, placing your hope on your own “goodness” or your own accomplishments are frankly a form of idol worship. Even sadder, it is yourself that really sits on the throne.
As John began to reflect, he thought it critical for folks not only to know Jesus was God, but, also to understand that since He is God; our life and worship should be about Him and not about ourselves—for He is the light and life of the world.
God Bless You
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Walking With God 