“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4–5, NLT)
The beginning of the gospel of John is unique among the gospels. It speaks of Jesus as “The Word became flesh” in describing the life of Jesus (John 1:14). This gospel also begins by equating Jesus with bringing light into a world filled with darkness (John 1:6, 1:9, etc.). No other gospel begins in the same way. No other gospel reads quite the same.
The scripture chosen for today shown above illustrates how the gospel of John sees Jesus. Jesus was “the Word” that “gave life to everything that was created” (John 1:4). Thus, Jesus descended from Heaven and became flesh to bring “light to everyone” (John 1:4). The light of which these scriptures speak is the light of wisdom, the light of revelation, the light of the gospel, the light of God.
The book of Revelation speaks about the light in Heaven. The Bible explains in Revelation 21:23 that there is no need for the Sun or Moon to light up Heaven. God HIMSELF provides all the light that is needed. Of course, this is not just speaking about physical light. It speaks of the light that “overcomes darkness”. It is the light of righteousness, the light of holiness, the light of wisdom, the light that makes a day brighter, the light that our scripture describes as one that “shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5).
If you have God’s Spirit in you, that light shines in your life. It lights up your days. When others can only see gloomy darkness, God’s light will brighten your way, powered by the grace of God’s Spirit. Matthew 5:16 reminds the faithful that they should let their “light shine before others, so that others may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Every now and then, we get a glimpse of those who let their light from God shine through the darkness of this world.
In his commencement speech this year (May 24, 2024) at Campbell County High School in Alexandria, Kentucky, God’s light burst forth from Micah Price. He chose to deviate from his “pre-approved” graduation speech script. He dared to say, “Class, everyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you if you don’t have any of those things in your life, you can’t seem to find the answer, my lord and Savior is your answer he will give you the truth, the way and the life.” He received much support from others who carry God’s light into the world. From the school board, he received punishment. They not only called his statement a “violation of school rules”, but they also withheld his diploma for five days. They forced him to answer for his “wrongful” actions. Micah Price rightly admitted that he had been “in the wrong technically” by not following school guidelines. That didn’t stop God’s light from shining through in his speech and in that day for all those gathered there.
There are so many places where darkness is the norm. Schools across America allow graduates and teachers to profess their love of Gay Pride, alternate lifestyles, and all kinds of causes. However, one dare not speak about Jesus Christ, “the light of the world” (John 8:12). The graduates can extol how teachers and the school have changed their life, but they dare not profess that Jesus has blessed their world! The forces of darkness cannot stand for God’s true light to shine.
Does God’s light shine through in you each day in some way? Have you spoken to others of your love of Jesus or how God has changed your life? Darkness has enveloped so many places. The thinking of so many has been deluded by the likes of TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and social causes. People are dying for some needed holy light in the midst of evil darkness. How about letting that light of God shine through you for a while this week? Who might benefit from a prayer, a word of encouragement, a little love, or a dose of forgiveness or grace?
The scripture chosen for today shown above illustrates how the gospel of John sees Jesus. Jesus was “the Word” that “gave life to everything that was created” (John 1:4). Thus, Jesus descended from Heaven and became flesh to bring “light to everyone” (John 1:4). The light of which these scriptures speak is the light of wisdom, the light of revelation, the light of the gospel, the light of God.
The book of Revelation speaks about the light in Heaven. The Bible explains in Revelation 21:23 that there is no need for the Sun or Moon to light up Heaven. God HIMSELF provides all the light that is needed. Of course, this is not just speaking about physical light. It speaks of the light that “overcomes darkness”. It is the light of righteousness, the light of holiness, the light of wisdom, the light that makes a day brighter, the light that our scripture describes as one that “shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5).
If you have God’s Spirit in you, that light shines in your life. It lights up your days. When others can only see gloomy darkness, God’s light will brighten your way, powered by the grace of God’s Spirit. Matthew 5:16 reminds the faithful that they should let their “light shine before others, so that others may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Every now and then, we get a glimpse of those who let their light from God shine through the darkness of this world.
In his commencement speech this year (May 24, 2024) at Campbell County High School in Alexandria, Kentucky, God’s light burst forth from Micah Price. He chose to deviate from his “pre-approved” graduation speech script. He dared to say, “Class, everyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you if you don’t have any of those things in your life, you can’t seem to find the answer, my lord and Savior is your answer he will give you the truth, the way and the life.” He received much support from others who carry God’s light into the world. From the school board, he received punishment. They not only called his statement a “violation of school rules”, but they also withheld his diploma for five days. They forced him to answer for his “wrongful” actions. Micah Price rightly admitted that he had been “in the wrong technically” by not following school guidelines. That didn’t stop God’s light from shining through in his speech and in that day for all those gathered there.
There are so many places where darkness is the norm. Schools across America allow graduates and teachers to profess their love of Gay Pride, alternate lifestyles, and all kinds of causes. However, one dare not speak about Jesus Christ, “the light of the world” (John 8:12). The graduates can extol how teachers and the school have changed their life, but they dare not profess that Jesus has blessed their world! The forces of darkness cannot stand for God’s true light to shine.
Does God’s light shine through in you each day in some way? Have you spoken to others of your love of Jesus or how God has changed your life? Darkness has enveloped so many places. The thinking of so many has been deluded by the likes of TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and social causes. People are dying for some needed holy light in the midst of evil darkness. How about letting that light of God shine through you for a while this week? Who might benefit from a prayer, a word of encouragement, a little love, or a dose of forgiveness or grace?