Jesus Is the Light!

 

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. (John 1:1-5 ESV).

 

Psalm 36 speaks about light and life in the same breath. No wonder. Most creatures need light to live—if not directly, then at least indirectly. So light and life go together. All light and all life have their source in God. In the Bible’s first creation story (Genesis 1), there is only darkness until God says, “Let there be light.” Under that light, life emerges. In the Bible’s final new-creation story (Revelation 22:1-5), there is no darkness but only God’s light and an ever-fruitful tree of life.

 

And then there is Jesus. Crucified on a tree of death, he is the light of the world. And that light is our life. Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

 

As I write this, it is the middle of the afternoon, Hurricane Beryl has made landfall near my hometown of Galveston. It began its trek north toward Tyler and ultimate across the southeastern part of the country. It remains a strong tropical storm producing heavy rains and wind. We are in the path of some of the outer rings producing ominous clouds and a few downpours. This time of the year the afternoon sun should be at its brightest, though for the last few moments it has been dark and dreary. It reminds me of the darkness of winter.

 

But just as when the storm passes, no matter how dark and gloomy, it will give way to the light of a summer’s day. In the same way, by his death on the cross Jesus defeated darkness and death, and by his resurrection he shines the springtime light of God’s new creation over the horizon. We still must wait a while. But the time is coming when there will be no darkness and no death—only light and life! Oh what a day that will be!