Finding Hope and Light in Jesus

In a world filled with chaos, uncertainty, and darkness—whether it’s the threat of a tsunami or the turmoil within our own hearts—there is a deep longing for security, assurance, and hope. This longing is not new; it’s woven into the fabric of our humanity. In John 8, Jesus stands in the midst of the bustling temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, surrounded by towering lampstands that symbolize God’s presence, and boldly declares, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This is not just a claim to be a source of guidance or inspiration; it is a declaration of divinity, a direct reference to Yahweh, the great “I Am.” Jesus is saying, “I am the one you’re looking for.”

This light is not reserved for the religious elite or those who seem to have it all together. In fact, the story of the woman caught in adultery, placed right before Jesus’ declaration, shows us that it is often those who are most aware of their darkness who are most ready to receive the light. The Pharisees, with all their knowledge and religious observance, remain blind, while the woman, exposed and vulnerable, encounters grace and freedom.

To have Jesus, the light of the world, is to possess three profound gifts: God’s presence, God’s freedom, and God’s blessing. God’s presence means that even in the darkest valleys—whether in a prison cell, a hospital room, or the quiet ache of loneliness—He is with us. His light cannot be overcome by darkness. God’s freedom means that the light of Christ exposes not to shame, but to cleanse and liberate us from guilt, shame, and the exhausting need to prove ourselves. And God’s blessing is the commission to reflect this light to others, to be a beacon of hope in a world desperate for it.

This invitation is for anyone—no matter your past, your doubts, or your failures. The search for what truly satisfies, for what brings life and hope, ends in Jesus. In Him, we find rest, assurance, and the courage to walk in the light and to shine that light for others.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Presence in the Darkness The presence of Jesus, the light of the world, assures us that we are never alone, even in our darkest moments. Like Howard Rutledge in a POW camp, recalling scripture brought the tangible sense of God’s nearness and hope. The promise of “I am with you always” is not just for the heroes of faith, but for each of us, no matter how deep the valley. God’s presence is the unshakeable foundation that sustains us through every storm. [35:16]
• 2. Freedom from Guilt and Shame The light of Christ does not expose our sin to crush us, but to cleanse and free us. The woman caught in adultery experienced this firsthand—her shame was met not with condemnation, but with grace and a call to new life. Jesus knows our secrets, our failures, and our hidden struggles, yet He invites us to step into the light, not to be shamed, but to be set free. In Christ, our past is not a prison, but a place of redemption. [41:00]
• 3. The Upside-Down Nature of God’s Kingdom Jesus turns our assumptions upside down: it is not the outwardly righteous who walk in the light, but those who recognize their need and come to Him in humility. The Pharisees, confident in their knowledge, remain blind, while the broken and exposed find sight and life. This challenges us to examine where we are seeking light—are we relying on our own performance, or are we coming to Jesus with empty hands? [27:44]
• 4. Reflecting the Light to Others Having received the light of Christ, we are called to reflect it in a dark world. This happens in everyday acts of kindness, integrity, and hospitality—like opening our homes to strangers in need, or offering hope in anxious spaces like social media. Our lives become a testimony, a beacon that draws others to the source of true light. Every day presents opportunities to shine, not for our own glory, but so others may see and glorify God. [45:13]
• 5. The Invitation is for Anyone Jesus’ invitation to walk in the light is radically inclusive—no one is beyond the reach of His grace. Whether you feel disqualified by your failures or exhausted by trying to earn acceptance, the light of the world is for you. The search for meaning, security, and hope ends in Jesus, who offers rest and assurance to all who come. The only response is surrender—to fall at His feet and receive the life we’ve been searching for.
  
  ** [52:05]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [20:13] - Introduction: What Are You Looking For?
• [21:59] - Crisis Reveals Our Deepest Longings
• [22:53] - The Woman Caught in Adultery
• [23:55] - Jesus’ Declaration: I Am the Light of the World
• [24:47] - The Pharisees’ Blindness
• [25:50] - Who Really Sees Jesus?
• [27:44] - Light and Darkness: Upside-Down Kingdom
• [28:43] - The Temple, the Feast, and the Lampstands
• [30:26] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of God’s Presence
• [34:24] - God’s Presence in Our Darkest Moments
• [36:51] - The Assurance of Scripture
• [38:51] - Freedom from Guilt and Shame
• [41:00] - The Light Redeems, Not Shames
• [43:29] - The Blessing and Commission to Shine
• [45:13] - Everyday Opportunities to Reflect Christ
• [49:17] - Hospitality as Light in the Darkness
• [51:08] - The Invitation to Walk in the Light
• [54:26] - Prayer and Confession
• [55:09] - Communion: Remembering Grace
• [56:24] - Closing Blessing and Sending

Bible Reading

John 8:1-19 (ESV) — > 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
> 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.
> 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst
> 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.
> 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”
> 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.
> 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
> 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground.
> 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
> 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
> 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
> 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.”
> 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”
> 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
> 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
> 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
> 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true.
> 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”
> 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

Psalm 23:4-5 (ESV) — > 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
> 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) — > 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
> 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
> 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Observation Questions

1. In the story of the woman caught in adultery, what was Jesus’ response to her accusers and to the woman herself? ([23:55])
2. According to John 8:12, what does Jesus promise to those who follow Him?
3. What was the significance of Jesus making His declaration “I am the light of the world” during the Feast of Tabernacles, surrounded by the large lampstands? ([30:26])
4. In Matthew 5:14-16, what does Jesus say about His followers and their role in the world?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to reveal Himself as “the light of the world” right after the story of the woman caught in adultery? How does this connect to the idea of freedom from guilt and shame? ([41:00])
2. The Pharisees were confident in their knowledge and religious observance, yet Jesus said they were “in the dark.” What does this teach about the difference between outward religion and truly walking in the light? ([27:44])
3. The sermon mentioned that God’s presence is with us even in our darkest moments, like Howard Rutledge in the POW camp. How does the promise of God’s presence change the way we face personal chaos or suffering? ([35:16])
4. Jesus commissions His followers to reflect His light to others. What does it look like practically to “let your light shine” in everyday life? ([45:13])

Application Questions

1. The woman caught in adultery experienced grace instead of condemnation. Is there an area of your life where you feel weighed down by guilt or shame? What would it look like to bring that into the light of Jesus and receive His freedom? ([41:00])
2. The sermon challenged us to examine where we are seeking light—are you relying on your own performance, religious activity, or something else to find security and hope? What would it look like to come to Jesus with “empty hands” this week? ([27:44])
3. The story of Howard Rutledge showed the power of recalling Scripture in dark times. Is there a verse or promise from God’s Word that has brought you comfort in a difficult season? How can you make Scripture a more regular source of light in your life? ([35:16])
4. Jesus calls us to reflect His light in practical ways—through kindness, integrity, hospitality, and hope. Can you think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to be a “light” to someone? What happened, and what did you learn? ([45:13])
5. The sermon gave an example of opening one’s home to strangers during a crisis. Is there a specific way you can show hospitality or generosity to someone in need this week? ([49:17])
6. Social media was mentioned as a place where we can shine the light of Christ. What is one practical way you can bring hope or encouragement to your online presence this week? ([47:31])
7. Jesus’ invitation to walk in the light is for anyone, no matter their past or failures. Is there someone in your life who feels disqualified or far from God? How might you share the hope and assurance of Jesus with them? ([52:05])