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, NIV
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
John 1:9-10, NIV
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:22-23, NIV

Today, I would like us to meditate briefly on Jesus and the role of light as it pertains to Him. As you read the three passages above, are you able to sense the drama that is unfolding in each passage? Jesus, the Light of the world, shining on everybody and everything.

The first act of creation was God declaring light. Just as there is no life without light from a physical standpoint, there is no life from a spiritual standpoint until we receive the light of the gospel. The world was cloaked in darkness without hope until Jesus came into it.

The second passage emphasizes the advent of Jesus as the light of the world in the same way Genesis reveals the advent of light in creation. Jesus came to bring us salvation, the ultimate life-giving grace. Yet, so many will not recognize Him for who He is.

The third passage emphasizes eternity with God. This is our destiny. One day, we will join others in His eternal kingdom that is filled with the glory of God and the shining presence of Jesus. There will be no darkness of sin or separation between us. Wow! What a vision.

We presently live in a time of growing darkness. Jesus is marginalized, and His salvation is missing in the lives of so many. We must pray that the Light of Christ will reveal His salvation to those struggling in the darkness. In the near future, we will be experiencing the light of the Lamb. Let's pray that the Lord will use our prayers, our lives, and our words to include many in that glorious eternity.

Love, Pastor Stuart