Advent Thoughts #2: Jesus = Light

We are introduced to the concept of light in the third verse of the book of beginnings (Genesis): “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

Because God created light we live in a world that has light.  We can observe it, we can feel its warmth, and we can appreciate its qualities. However, WE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IT.  For light is necessary for the very existence of physical life on this planet we call Earth.  And no doubt because of this fact, God uses the concept of light to convey the very essence of His Being to us. The Apostle John says in I John 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”  God also uses the concept of light in a figurative way to refer to the truth of His revelation in the Bible – HIS MESSAGE TO US.  This message of truth or light shines bright in the Gospel according to John, if we but read the passages in John’s gospel that have the word light in them:

John 1:1-13,  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

John 3:19-21,  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 John 5:35,  He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

John 8:12,  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:5,  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 11:9, Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

John 12:35,  Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

John 12:46,  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

In the last chapter of the Bible we are told about the light in the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem.  Revelation 22:5 says, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: . . .”

Let us take the light that God has given to us and pass it on to others for we are told by Christ himself

“Matthew 5:14-16, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”