Hope for God is Light
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5
When Jesus came, the Lamb of God was shown as well as the revelation of life. Jesus Christ the Creator provides physical life. Jesus Christ the Redeemer provides spiritual life. Jesus Christ the Savior provides eternal life. From the text, John introduced another key word—light. The life becomes the light of men. Notice these positive terms that John used which were life and light. They provided a clear and wonderful contrast to death and darkness. In the Word, God’s person and power were revealed to humanity. Here again we see a reference to creation since, in the Genesis account, light was the first evidence of God’s creative work. “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Genesis 1:2-3). God is always the source of light and life. Christ the Son, the Creator, provides life and light to humanity. He alone is the life-giver and the light-bearer. John was alluding to the Psalmist description of God as the source of both life and light. “With you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Then John picked up a common first-century theme, darkness will always try to defeat the light. All the forces of Satan tried to prevent life and extinguish the light—but they could not. This is why Jesus’ coming in to the world provides a message of hope. Once wealth is taken away from us, we are hindered. When health is failing, we become handicapped. When our purpose becomes blurred, then we slow down and we become confused. But once hope is taken away, we can plunge into deepest despair. Everything stops; we are paralyzed dead in our tracks, wondering if this darkness will ever end. Does anybody care? David went through this kind of experience when he said, “How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?” (Psalm 13:2). Yet, in the midst of his anguish he knew God cares. His hope is in God’s unfailing love. “But I trust in your unfailing love...I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6). God is our light at the end of our tunnel. It is there in the distance. It may be tiny and obscured, but it's there. If you are a follower of Christ, you can take Him at His Word. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
