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John 1:4, 5 - JESUS; His Light, Shines Through Darkness.John 1:4, 5 (NKJV) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.John 1:4, 5 (NLT) The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4, 5 (MSG) What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. 5 The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out. WORD STUDY LIGHT: signifies the life of Jesus, the Word of God, and his role as a source of illumination for humanity. It represents God's life and truth being made visible through Christ, offering spiritual understanding and guidance. AI INTRODUCTION Why does Jesus' life bring light to everyone? Because physical death brings eternal darkness and only Jesus' eternal life (his light) planted in us will keep us alive in his new Kingdom for eternity. Jesus is eternally alive because he is God. He came to earth to offer humankind the hope and light of his eternal life. It can't be purchased, only received as a gift. But Jesus gives it only to those who want it - those who want to live the way God's citizens will live in his future eternal Kingdom. "The darkness can never extinguish it" means that the darkness of evil never has and never will overcome God's light. Jesus Christ is the creator of life, and his life brings light to humankind (1:9). In his light, we see ourselves as we really are - sinners in need of a Savior. When we follow Jesus, the true Light, we can avoid walking blindly through the spiritual darkness that sin brings. Jesus lights the path ahead of us, illuminating the truth and clarifying our thoughts so we can see how to live. He removes the darkness of sin from our lives. In what ways have you allowed the light of Jesus Christ to shine into your life? Let him guide you, and you'll never need to stumble in darkness. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL It was morning; the sun had just risen above the Mount of Olives, and its rays fell with dazzling brightness on the marble palaces, and lighted up the gold of the temple walls, when Jesus, pointing to it, said, "I am the light of the world." By one who listened to these words, they were long afterward re-echoed in that sublime passage, "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not." "That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:4, 5, R.V. And long after Jesus had ascended to heaven, Peter also, writing under the illumination of the divine Spirit, recalled the symbol Christ had used: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19. In the manifestation of God to His people, light had ever been a symbol of His presence. At the creative word in the beginning, light had shone out of darkness. Light had been enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, leading the vast armies of Israel. Light blazed with awful grandeur about the Lord on Mount Sinai. Light rested over the mercy seat in the tabernacle. Light filled the temple of Solomon at its dedication. Light shone on the hills of Bethlehem when the angels brought the message of redemption to the watching shepherds. God is light; and in the words, "I am the light of the world," Christ declared His oneness with God, and His relation to the whole human family. It was He who at the beginning had caused "the light to shine out of darkness." 2 Corinthians 4:6. He is the light of sun and moon and star. He was the spiritual light that in symbol and type and prophecy had shone upon Israel. But not to the Jewish nation alone was the light given. As the sunbeams penetrate to the remotest corners of the earth, so does the light of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon every soul. "That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." The world has had its great teachers, men of giant intellect and wonderful research, men whose utterances have stimulated thought, and opened to view vast fields of knowledge; and these men have been honored as guides and benefactors of their race. But there is One who stands higher than they. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God." "No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." John 1:12, 18. We can trace the line of the world's great teachers as far back as human records extend; but the Light was before them. As the moon and the stars of the solar system shine by the reflected light of the sun, so, as far as their teaching is true, do the world's great thinkers reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. Every gem of thought, every flash of the intellect, is from the Light of the world. In these days we hear much about "higher education." The true "higher education" is that imparted by Him "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." Colossians 2:3; John 1:4. "He that followeth Me," said Jesus, "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." DA 463-465 No other light ever has shone or ever will shine upon fallen man save that which emanates from Christ. Jesus, the Saviour, is the only light that can illuminate the darkness of a world lying in sin. Of Christ it is written, "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4. It was by receiving of His life that His disciples could become light bearers. The life of Christ in the soul, His love revealed in the character, would make them the light of the world. Humanity has in itself no light. Apart from Christ we are like an unkindled taper, like the moon when her face is turned away from the sun; we have not a single ray of brightness to shed into the darkness of the world. But when we turn toward the Sun of Righteousness, when we come in touch with Christ, the whole soul is aglow with the brightness of the divine presence. MB 39-40 COMMENTARY Light From God's Word Dictators fear the Bible, and for good reason: it inspired Britain's Magna Carta and the United States' Declaration of Independence. While many nations disbelieve the Bible, it still remains the most powerful book ever written because it is the living Book. There are those who argue this point, but the universe is sustained by the Word of God because it is the definitive Word of the Creator. God and God's Word are inseparable. A man and his word may be two different things, but eternal God and the eternal Word are the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Bible is a miracle book because it comes from the Miracle Maker. Most books live a few short years, are put on a shelf, and are often forgotten. But the Holy Bible has been ridiculed, burned, refuted, and trampled on, yet it still goes on forever because it is the living Word of God. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Matthew 24:3 5). His words matter! Do you think the Bible will still be a powerful book a thousand years from now? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham] Light From Prayer It doesn't matter how messy life has become - it's never too late for God to do a miracle. It's never too late for God to restore you to Him. Whatever guilt or shame you bear, God stands ready to bring victory over it. There are so many stories in the Gospels that demonstrate how Jesus is always in the right place at the right time to perform miracles. Just like the people who Jesus helped in the Gospel accounts, we don't need to shine ourselves up before we come before Him. We don't need to have it all together or have a solution ready for every problem in our lives. We don't need to figure out how to become the world's most functional family before we come to Him. We don't need to get well before we meet Jesus. Jesus is always a light in our darkness. Anyone in any condition can say, "Jesus, I need You. I need a Savior." Whether it's for the first time or the thousandth time, when you confess you need His help - that your life is a mess and that you need a miracle - you will experience His light, and the darkness clouding your soul can and will fade away. Dear Jesus, You shine in all darkness. I need You and Your light to help the darkness fade away today. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] Light From God's Presence Though not proven through science, the third Monday in January, blue Monday, is often tagged as the saddest day of the year. New Year's resolutions have proven challenging, Christmastime bills have started to arrive, and the weather is dark and dreary. For those of us suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this non-holiday comes as no surprise. We get it. Like a gas tank running on empty, we're low on hope. And yet the words in Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope Is the Thing with Feathers" ring true: "Hope is the thing with feathers, That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all." As a Christian, my hope never ends, even when things seem impossible. I am not alone, ever, because Jesus is with me (Matthew 28:20), and I don't need to be anxious (Isaiah 41:10). Jesus guides me and gives me rest (Exodus 33:14). He comforts me as I encourage others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Candles, special SAD "happy" lights, adjusting my diet, and getting outdoors every day - even in foul weather - help combat my moodiness. So does daydreaming about my garden or planning future trips and new adventures. And talking with friends is a huge help. But my greatest comfort comes from my friend Jesus (John 15:15). He sits in silence with me through my sorrow. His presence lights my soul and drives out the darkness, no matter what the weather. Heidi Gaul [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY John 1:5 - JESUS; The Light, Shines Through Darkness. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20231109-0937.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210930-0926.html John 8:12 - The Second I AM; Jesus the Light of the World! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230705-1013.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |