LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. 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.
John 1:1-5 (NLT)
In the beginning…Jesus. John’s gospel begins with a bang: the man he traveled alongside for three years was God in the flesh, walking the earth. He spoke into existence on sandals, possible only through His ingenuity and speaking to the people He breathed into life. Why? Because we needed His rescue, whether we wanted it or not. To Jewish readers, this claim would be revolutionary, incredible, blasphemous, terrifying. The Messiah wasn’t merely a great man—He was the Creator of mankind.
Few people who heard or read John’s gospel would have known Jesus during His life before His horrific death (including us!). Most readers and hearers would either be aware of His death or had never heard of Him. Regardless of prior knowledge, the claim that a slain man had come back to life was preposterous; however, John brings the darkness of Jesus’ fate into proper focus—darkness can’t extinguish light.
Genesis 1:4 establishes that God separated the light from the darkness. Darkness may give the impression of winning, but this impression is an illusion, like a shadow puppet masquerading as something bigger than it really is. God drew the line at the beginning of creation, and everything, EVERYTHING, obeys His will—even the darkness encroaching on the light.
Jesus came, He saw, He conquered. He created everything, and He’s the glue holding it all together (Colossians 1:15-17). No matter how dark things may be in the world or your life, they can’t extinguish Jesus. He already defeated it. Live in that victory, that light, today.
APPLICATION: What darkness are you experiencing? Write two or three struggles down, then write in capital letters BUT JESUS. Read Colossians 1:15-17 and pray His power over those areas of your life. Ask Him to fill you with His light.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for creating all things. Thank You for condescending Yourself into the form of Your creation in order to defeat death and redeem us. Help me to live in Your power, Your victory today! Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?