September 28 Light of Life

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
 
JOHN continues his divine introduction of Jesus with a second reference to the Lord’s creative power. As mentioned in our last lesson, “Word” referred to the wisdom that created the world and established the Law. John now says that life was in the Word. And that life was the light of men. Summarizing the first 5 verses of John: The Word is God. God is life. God is the light of men. The darkness doesn’t know God.
   John knew what he was saying. He was a good disciple. He was teaching what Jesus taught about himself in John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
   John is bold for Christ to speak into the darkness of unbelief. And why not? He had witnessed Jesus’ light to proclaim the good news. He saw the Lord Transfigured into heaven’s glory light on the mount. He spoke with the risen Lord come up from the tomb’s gloomy darkness. He watched Jesus ascend into heaven.  
   The world needs Jesus’ light. Sin seeks to make our world a dark, formless void. God’s light must bring order to the world today just as it did on the first day of Creation. Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. The first order came into the void. Day and night were set. Time began. From light’s foundation God brought life into the world over the next five days. Light was first. Life followed. The physical form was perfect. It was “good” at the end of six days.
   It is the same for our souls. Jesus’ light has brought order into our lives. As the Spirit sets his light of salvation into our souls, a new time begins in our lives. From that day on we become in Christ a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) The old, formless void is gone! Life is in us. The Lord is in us.
   Jesus’ life on earth was the Father’s revealing light to mankind. John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The Son lights the path to the Father. Jesus is God’s truth to offer eternal life to the world. He is God’s nature to love and forgive. He is God’s way to raise the dead from darkness into the light of salvation.
   All heaven and earth come together through the Light of Life to all people who call on the name of Jesus.  
 
Prayer: Open my eyes to enjoy your Light, Jesus. Amen.