My wife and I were in the car, and as she often does she asked me to recall the words of a chorus often sung in worship services in our youth — in a time long, long ago, in a country far, far away. The chorus was:
“There’s no night the; there’s no night there; Hallelujah, there’s no night there. For in that city bright, where Jesus is the light, Hallelujah, there’s no night there.”
Apart from the ensuing ear-worm, the chorus got me thinking of the biblical basis for a place that has no need of artificial light. A place where Jesus provides all the illumination that would ever be necessary.
In John 8:12 (NLT), Jesus makes a bold and defining statement: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” This declaration isn’t just poetic—it’s a central theme that threads through the entire biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation. Understanding what Jesus means by being “the light” requires tracing how light represents God’s presence, guidance, and truth from the beginning of Scripture to its final vision.
The Bible opens with a stark contrast: light versus darkness. Genesis 1:2–3 (NLT) says, “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters… Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” This isn’t just the creation of physical light; it’s God bringing order and clarity into chaos. Light is the first act of creation, signaling the start of God’s plan and presence in the world. From the start, light is more than a physical phenomenon—it’s symbolic of life, understanding, and divine power.
Fast forward to the New Testament, and Jesus claims this symbolic identity as his own. When he says he is “the light of the world,” he’s positioning himself as the one who reveals truth, exposes deception, and gives life. The context of John 8 makes this even more significant. Jesus speaks these words during the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival where giant lamps were lit in the temple to remind Israel of how God led them through the wilderness by a pillar of fire. By claiming to be the light, Jesus is saying he is that guiding presence—the fulfillment of God’s ancient promises.
This isn’t the only place Jesus is connected to divine light. John 1:4–5 (NLT) speaks of him as the eternal Word: “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” Jesus’ light is not just moral or intellectual—it’s life-giving. It penetrates the world’s darkness: confusion, sin, fear, and death.
The final book of the Bible, Revelation, completes the arc. In the new heaven and new earth, God’s light fully replaces darkness forever. Revelation 21:23–24 (NLT) describes the New Jerusalem: “And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light…” Jesus, the Lamb, is now the everlasting source of light. There’s no longer a need for sun or moon—no need for created light—because God’s presence is total, immediate, and eternal. (“There’s no night there!…”)
This shows that Jesus’ claim isn’t just about spiritual insight here and now. It’s eschatological [many of my readers applaud when I use big words!] —it points to the end of history, when God’s light fully restores what darkness has damaged.
Jesus’ statement is also an invitation. In John 12:46 (NLT), he says, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” Following Jesus means more than believing in him; it means living in a way that reflects his light—living truthfully, lovingly, and with purpose.
This is personal. Many people live in various kinds of darkness—guilt, anxiety, moral confusion. Jesus doesn’t offer shallow comfort; he offers clarity and direction. Like the light in Genesis, his presence brings order out of chaos. Like the lamp in the wilderness, he guides. And like the light in Revelation, he offers lasting hope.
Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world isn’t a metaphor thrown in for poetic effect. It anchors the whole biblical story—from the first command, “Let there be light,” to the eternal radiance of God in Revelation. Light means life, truth, and presence. Jesus doesn’t just bring those things—he is them. In him, the darkness is not only exposed—it is overcome.
I find it ironic that Nicodemus, the Pharisee, came to inquire of Jesus the way to eternal life, under cover of darkness. We can see clearly in the illumination of Jesus’ famous answer: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 [NLT]
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study