In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (NIV)
For Reflection:
Jesus as the Word. This strikes me as an interesting way in which to describe Jesus. And yet, if you pause and think deeply, Jesus being called the Word (Logos in Greek), is in essence acknowledging that He is the ultimate, living revelation and expression of God to humanity. Jesus, as the Word, reveals the very nature of God and makes him known to us. Wonder for a moment about the character of Jesus; what kind of a man was he? I know specific words certainly pop into my head… Kind. Generous. Empathetic. Compassionate. Gentle. If Jesus is the expression of God… the human expression of the Creator, then God must also be all of those things. What a beautiful picture that presents.
“In him was life, and life was the light of men.” At creation, the light being brought into the world was a physical light… the sun, moon and stars. When Jesus came as the light of the world, He brought truth, reason and power of understanding. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus, as the ultimate truth shone light into the world and no shadows or darkness were able to overcome it. Nor can they still. As Christ followers, we are connected with Christ by the light which shines within us, and that light continues to prove God’s omnipotence as it persistently shines in the darkest places.
Scripture in James 1:17 also says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” The Father of lights. What a thought. God. Our Father. The Light of the World. He is the ultimate source of all light, steadfast and immutable, unlike the shifting lights and shadows of the world. God the Father and Jesus – God the Son: Father of lights, light of the world – alive in us. Will we anchor here, in Christ, who is steadfast and unwavering, and allow His light to shine through us without variation or wavering?
Let us pray:
Dear God, help me to hold steadfast and unwavering as you shine your light into the world through me. Allow me to be courageous and strong, sharing your light as you draw others towards you. As I enter today, keep me anchored in you, remembering how kind, caring, compassionate and loving you are. Amen.
I wonder what Jesus’ light reveals to me?
I wonder how to share His light and truth in ways that are consistent with his character?