Light of Life, Light of Men

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 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. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people  did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:1-14,16

“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46

In the beginning, from eternity past, Jesus. He was coming and came and is here, the Light shining now in darkness, enlightening everyone. Jesus. The glorious Word become flesh, the Savior of men.

“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

The Light of Life and of the world is the personal light of individual men and women and children of God. Each who receives is adopted as His child and owns that everlasting light. No darkness that might be looming in our lives, our minds or spirits, can overcome the magnificent and eternal light of Christ!(Ephesians 1:5)

Is there choking grief, incessant longing, fear, or physical pain, seasonal sorrow? God’s light shines into every recess! Every hidden heartache! Every bitter remembrance! Every lonely hour! Though the earth has its shadows, Jesus is present as Light, with us to warm and illumine and emanate in hope from every cloud. Would we bask in, receive, and rejoice in Him?

“Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.” ~Phillips Brooks (1868)

Jesus, fill me that I might shine Your heavenly light and spread Your joy to the world.