"Light of Jesus > Darkness"
GOOD MORNING!
DEVOTIONAL:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
We’re living through one of the darkest times in recent history.
We know that we will have trouble in this world. Jesus Himself promised us as much in John 16:33. But thankfully, that isn’t all He said. The full verse is as follows: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Even as Jesus promises us that we will have dark times and trouble in this world, He promises us peace. He encourages us to take heart and to trust Him. He has overcome the world!
As John introduces the story of Jesus, he uses wonderful language and metaphor, describing Jesus as the Word, containing all life and the light of all mankind, and concluding with verse 5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” In times such as these, how important it is to remember this comforting and reassuring truth. Jesus brings light into the world, and though the world is full of darkness it has not overcome His light. In the end, there is hope. Christ will prevail and so will His Church.
While that truth is powerful and encouraging on its own, there is another translation that states John 1:5 like this, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.” As a result, it cannot accept that it’s bound for defeat, so darkness fights the light. Darkness attacks the light. Rejects the light.
Currently, we feel overtaken by the darkness that has overwhelmed our world. But there is a light who has overcome that darkness. A light that has overcome this world and will lead us into victory.
The darkness does not understand why we have this hope, or comprehend the fact that there is peace and victory in Christ. Even in our darkest time, we can access this peace and hope that is found only in Christ, "the Light of the world." Even now, we can take solace in that. As Isaiah foretold, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” [Isaiah 9:2]. He is the Light of the World and He has come [dawned] to give you hope and peace in the present and for the future.
Isaiah wrote this word [Isaiah 9:2] about 700 years before Christ was born [before the incarnation]. But he wrote them as if they had already happened. The Light wasn’t just coming, it had come. The Light has come to dispel your darkness! His peace isn’t just coming, it’s come! Your hope isn’t on the way, it’s here! The peace of which the angels sang is yours now.
The Light comes to you and He bears such wonderful names that tell you who He is for you. Isaiah says, “His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” He is the Counselor because He speaks His Word to you, and when He speaks His Word to you, "His Word becomes a lamp to your feet and a light to your path - His Word dispels the darkness" [Psalm 119:105].
As deep darkness surrounds you, take heart, the Savior, Christ the Lord, has conquered it completely. There’s a better tomorrow coming. In the meantime, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" [Matthew 5:16].
Much love and care,
Pastor Pat
Greece Assembly of God
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