Before jumping into this chapter, you may have noticed that John 7:53-8:11 is bracketed with a comment that “the most ancient Greek manuscripts do not include” the story. This is one of the very few places in the New Testament where we have a passage that was almost certainly not in the original writing. It doesn’t mean the story was made up (it is consistent with what we know about Jesus), simply that someone probably added it to John’s Gospel at a later time.
When we pick up the chapter in verse 12, Jesus makes the second of his eight “I am” statements that John records for us – “I am the light of the world.” This one is also connected with the time of Moses and the exodus. Just as God appeared as a light to guide the Israelites (see Numbers 9:15-23), Jesus is now the light we are to follow in our daily lives. How has he proved to be a faithful guide in your life?
The chapter continues with a rather contentious conversation between Jesus and the people who are still trying to make sense of who he is (see vv. 25, 53). Then, in verse 58, Jesus makes the most amazing declaration of all, calling himself “I AM,” which is God’s personal name! You see, this is not just a good teacher offering some helpful tips for how to live well; he is claiming to be God in human flesh – just as John told us at the beginning of his Gospel! How do you respond to this claim?