Let there be Light!

Jhn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jhn 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Jhn 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Jhn 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Jhn 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

When I think of the miracle of the Incarnation, which is the Miracle of Christmas, I think of a light being turned on in a dark room. At least, that is what John thought of. Because God became man, we can have life and light.

Now life and light are two very simple and common things, yet they are complex and incomprehensible in nature. We see them all around us, and we know they are interconnected, but we can't quite grasp them. I'd like to focus our attention again on verse 4, which states, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men." What was the concept which John was trying to get us to see? Could it be the fact that is only as we respond to the light which Christ gives us that we are then able to experience true life?

The next verse (5) is very interesting. I'm afraid that the King James doesn't do justice to what John was trying to get across. According to Dr. J. Vernon McGee's Through the Bible Commentary, a more accurate rendering of this verse is this: "The light shone in the darkness and the darkness did not overpower it or take it in." I believe that is true. Unlike the physical realm, in which light and darkness cannot exist side by side, in the spiritual realm they can. Paul, tells the Colossians that they are 2 opposing Kingdoms. We are born in the Kingdom of Darkness, and it is only as Christ gives us ability that we can be translated into the Kingdom of Light. What John is trying to say is that there are 2 Kingdoms side by side, darkness and light. Those in Darkness cannot overpower the Light, but they can't take in the light either. That is precisely why they can't seem to see how much they need Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us that the natural man cannot comprehend the things of the spirit because they are spiritually discerned. Only God can give a dead man the ability to respond to the light and therefore come alive!

Let me just say here that mankind is without excuse, because the light is shining. We have the light of Creation declaring the glory of God (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20). The light of conscience is gripping a man and telling us that we are sinners without hope. Finally, the lights of Christ and Scripture are pointing the way to the Father. Yet, we love darkness rather than light. Why? Because our deeds are evil. John 1:11 tells us that He came unto His own and His own did not receive Him. But verse 12 goes on to say, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God." When we receive Christ the light comes on!

Now, that brings us to a final verse, Proverbs 20:27 - "The spirit of Man is the candle of the Lord, searching the inward parts of the belly." Notice that it says the candle and not the light of the Lord. A candle is not the light. It is simply a bearer of the light. As we receive Christ, who is the light of the world, we take in the light. We are then called upon to be bearers of that light and let our light shine before men, so they can see our good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven.

This Christmas, let us bear that light and not hide it under a bushel! As we get together with family and friends, let us shine that light so others will see it and our world will become a little less dark. Remember, Christ came into the world to save sinners. Unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord!!!