The Light and Life of Man

 

As the world prepares for a bew surge of Covid cases and hedonism makes a resurgence, it is important to remember.  To remind ourselves from where our life flows. The apostle John records in his gospel, that Jesus is the Light, but what is this light? Is it illumination or enlightenment? Yes In Christ all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom reside (Colossians 2:2-3). But i believe it is so much more, a light that sustains life and gives purpose to life, a light that pierces the darkness of disease, doubt, and despair. 

Let’s look at the passage, 

In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God.

1:2  He was with God in the beginning.

1:3  Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being except through him.

1:4  What has come into being in him was life, life that was the light of men;

1:5  and light shines in darkness, and darkness could not overpower it.

1:6  A man came, sent by God. His name was John.

1:7  He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, so that everyone might believe through him.

1:8  He was not the light, he was to bear witness to the light.

1:9  The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone; he was coming into the world.

1:10  He was in the world that had come into being through him, and the world did not recognise him.

1:11  He came to his own and his own people did not accept him.

1:12  But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in his name

1:13  who were born not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God himself.

1:14  The Word became flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that he has from the Father as only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

1:15  John witnesses to him. He proclaims: 'This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me has passed ahead of me because he existed before me.'

1:16  Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received -- one gift replacing another,

1:17  for the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.

1:18  No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Verse four is worth looking at, that in Jesus is life and it is the light of mankind. This is literal in that Christ gives hope to man through salvation by faith in Him, but si believe it also refers to a sustaining presence, that Christ gives us light, purpose and peace, He holds us together in dark times such as these. 

The next verse declares that darkness could not overcome the light of Christ. This darkness could be a general shadow of death, and despair, which woukd fit nicely with the passages in the Book of Hebrews, “Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone,” (Hebrews 2:9) and “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT). In addition to this I believe the write could allude to the dark one, for the devil is the prince of darkness and his dark forced, “or we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephensians 6:12). For Christ had made a spectacle of them, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15). 

In verse eighteen it reads that none can see God except through Jesus His Son. This cross references to “I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life, none may come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). There is no other path by which man can see, know, and draw close to God but through the God Man Jesus Christ. It is like starring at the sun with protective googles, this is the Son, but without him the rays burn your eyes and you go blind. Christ is the light and life of man, the only way to heaven, to know the Holy Triune God. He is the center of all things, hence the passage, “All things were made through Him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3). But more than Creator, He is Savior and Sustainer, He is the Light of Mankind, he holds together and comforts us, He stands with us in the wake of this chaotic world making sense of a senseless world. Through Him we have a companion, friend, and guide, for He is always there in us who believe in Him (1 John 4:15) and there in the world beckoning to the unsaved to trust in Him  Author of Life and Light of Man. 

If you have not made the Lord of Life, Jesus Christ your savior, then now is the time. Pray the following prayer: 

Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner and have wronged you and others in my life. I ask you to forgive all my sins. I ask you to be Lord of my life, I confess you as Lord God and believe you were crucified for all my sins and rose from the dead. I believe you God the Son are One with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity. I now ask you to be my Light in this dark world. Amen. 

Next steps, get a Bible or download an Bible app (Although I recommend you have a physical book copy in addition to an app). I recommend New Living Translation, New King James Version, English Standard Version,  and New International Version. It is best to get editions from early 2000’s to 2017 or even earlier if you can. If not get whatever edition of the Bible you can. 

Start reading in the Gospel of John (preceded by the Gospel of Luke), then read Colossians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 John, and so on. 

I recommend you get the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, “1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus."

On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.” (Acts 19:1-7). Ask the Holy Spirit to fall upon you and you will receive gifts like new languages in prayer, healing and etc (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). 

Always test what someone teaches with Scripture (Holy Bible), even if its a Bible teacher or Pastor or Priest. 

Finally, if you can get baptized in water, and fellowship (gather, get together) with Christian believers. 

You may pose questions you have in the comment section of this post for any clarification. Amen.