“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:4-9
Devotional Thought For The Day
We know how “light” brings life. The plants that we depend upon for life, either to eat directly or to provide feed for the animals that we get our meat from, require light, light and warmth from the sun. Without it there could be no life.
However, when it comes to our spiritual life, this comes from Christ – “in Him was life.” And this “life” is what gives light to mankind, at least to all who are willing to receive it by faith. The “life” given to us in Christ is not just physical life, but rather that life which reunites us in a dynamic relationship with God. It begins with the lifting of the death sentence that lies upon us as a result of sin, through God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy which He has supplied to us in the redemption He provided in Jesus’ suffering and death. It is received by faith – which is itself a revivification which God Himself works in us [John 6:29; John 1:12,13]. This renewal of life, a true rebirth to faith and trust in God, is centered in this great love that God has for us, knowing and believing the love that God has for us. The “life” is once again knowing that “God is love,” and this knowledge is a powerful and compelling force for life, true spiritual life, which is authentic and genuine human life, what God originally created in Adam and Eve and which He intends and wills for every human being. It is a life that lasts forever, eternal life, which ultimately leads us into God’s perfect heavenly kingdom.
God’s love for us in Christ Jesus is not only a powerful dynamic that gives us life, it also gives light to us. Light is what enables us to see, to discern, to distinguish, to understand, and to function effectively and efficiently. This is exactly what the “life” that is ours in Christ Jesus enables us to do. We see clearly what needs to be confessed and repented of – what has already been forgiven in Christ’s suffering and death. We see clearly the nature of sin, how it is evil, and understand that it cannot be affirmed and committed to by those living in God’s love. We see the nature of good, of love, and know that this is what we must be oriented toward and committed to. We are eager to have greater love – for God, and for those around us. We see clearly that the troubles in the world are all related to the darkness, the ignorance of God and His love that so many people are living in. We know that their blessedness, and the blessedness of all who live with them, is dependent upon their receiving life and the light that He brings.
This is the gift of God that we celebrate at Christmas. The life, and the light that it gives, was available to human beings prior to Christmas on the promise of God revealed over and over again in the Word of God, the Holy Scripture. Now the light has come into the world personally and powerfully in God’s Divine Son, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The whole purpose of the existence of the church – our worship, fellowship, and work – is to bask in this life and light and allow God to work His powerful love within us. It comes to us not only in the promises contained in the Old Testament but also in the clear and powerful assertions of the apostles in the New Testament, a record of the history of the life and light coming into the world in human flesh – and also in the mysterious sacrament that Christ has given to us of His life-giving flesh and blood [John 6:55]. There is much mystery in all of this – the work of God in our hearts and minds and lives, the new and eternal life that He has graciously given to us in Christ Jesus. But surely we are compelled to celebrate it in thanks, praise, and worship of our great God and Savior, and to live it.
As we pause to contemplate the wonder of Christ’s birth at Bethlehem once again this year, let us rejoice to celebrate the blessed gift of life and light that we have received in Christ. May this light truly enlighten each and every one of us, as God continues to strengthen and empower us in newness of life in His love!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, we cannot offer sufficient thanks and praise, glory and honor to You, for the wondrous blessings You have brought into the world and bestowed upon us. Cause our hearts and minds to be fully captivated and enraptured by Your love and goodness. Grant us greater compulsion and urgency in doing all that we can to shine Your glorious life and light to those around us. Bless our celebration of Your birth and our life together in Your church. Your good and gracious will be done! Amen.