Light
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When you enter a room, one of the first things you usually do is to turn on the light. As a kid, I enjoyed entering a room, and leaving the light off to see how well I remembered the configuration. Usually, though, we like the light on so that we know what we are getting into, and have no surprises. It is interesting how, when we have nothing to hide, we like the light, but when we have secrets, or have made mistakes, we want some darkness. Light illuminates the area, exposing both bad and good.
In our journey through the gospel of John, we arrive at verses 6 through 8, where it says, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” This John, we know as The Baptizer (or the first Baptist). He states clearly that he is not the Light, but has come to be a witness. This means that he was sent from God to point people to the Light, preparing them for what was to come. A witness is someone with knowledge, that shares testimony regarding the truth. John was given knowledge by God that would enable him to help others prepare for the arrival of The Light.
Which light was this? Isaiah 9:2 prophesies, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” This refers to the Messiah, who we know as Jesus Christ. He was to be a light to everyone in the world, both Jew and Gentile! The apostle John clarifies in verse nine that this true Light ‘gives light to every man coming into the world.’ In case we haven’t caught yet who this is referring to, John tells us that ‘the world was made through Him,’ which ties the Light with the Word of verse one.
What is the purpose of the Light? Luke 2:32 tells us that the Light came to be a ‘revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for the Jews.’ John gives the third and main reason for the arrival of the Light in verse 12: salvation from sin, and a relationship with God whereby we can be His children! So many people get this idea that all humans are children of God the Creator, but the Bible is clear that God only adopts as children those who accept the gift of salvation via the Light, which is Jesus Christ.
The truth has been revealed by Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Salvation has been bought for all who would receive it, with the benefit of being children of God. What it means to be children of God, and all the implications, is a whole other topic (which I may get to yet one day). Are you a child of God? Have you seen what the Light has revealed, and accepted it as truth? John the Baptizer came with a message of repentance (1:23) in preparation for the coming Messiah. Without admitting their need for a Saviour, the people would not be ready for His arrival and message. The same hold true for today. You have been called to bear witness with John, with a message of repentance that people would be prepared for the Light God wants to shine before them. One of my favourite verses is Psalm 119:105, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Woah! Did you notice? God’s Word is the Light which shows us where to go! Let God’s Light shine in your life today!!!
