1/3/11- John 1:4-5,9 The Light Shines

In 2011 we will be doing devotions on the Gospel of John. 

 ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ... ⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

(Sunrise on Garden City Beach SC 12/28/10)

Thoughts: This is similar to John 8;12 (Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”).  The assumption is that we  are in the darkness of sin, of doubt, of blindness to God.  Jesus comes to bring light in the midst of the darkness.  Darkness naturally resists light.  And those in darkness naturally resist those in light.  Perhaps this is why we should pray for the Christians of Egypt whose church was blown up on New Year's Day; or the Christians of Iraq whose church (Our Lady of Salvation) was attacked in December killing 58; or the Christians in Bhpatian Pakistan who had their church bulldozed down by Muslim extremists; or the Christians in southern Sudan who foresee war if they vote to secede from the Muslim north next Sunday.  Darkness resists the light.  Yet, light has come in Jesus.  Jesus brings us abundant life now and the hope of eternal life to come.  You would think that it would be easy to understand that seeing is better than groping in the darkness.  In the movie "The Dawn Treader" it is hard for the dragon to peel off his scales in order to become clean as the Lord wants.  Perhaps another image is of someone who has been sitting in a movie theater and suddenly the lights come on brightly.  We are used to darkness and coming into the light is painful and so we resist. 

Prayer: Lord, we pray for those who are resisting you- neighbors here and those around the world.

John Calvin abridged: It is well known that many times people are described as blind and in darkness.  The human mind is blinded. Yet there is a small measure of light in humans left given by God that enables us to respond to the light of Christ. It shows in some seed of religion and in a conscience that is able to distinguish good and evil.  God does not leave us as beasts, but gives us the light of reason inside of us, however darkened.

12/5/10 John 1:4,5 The light of all People

⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

(Sun meets earth at the Sea of Galilee, picture taken by Ben Sloan 6/8/2010)
Thoughts: This has some overtones to Isaiah 9- "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...for unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given..." Jesus is the flashlight shining in the movie theater, pointing to a way out.  Jesus is the light at the end of the tunnel.  Jesus is the light that helps us see our mistakes, but also helps us see our way over the things that would make us fall.  He is the light that gives vitamin D for healthy bones, and photosynthesis for healthy and growing plants.  Without him, we would wither- and many do.  Despite the darkness trying really hard to stop the light, it cannot.  So in our day, the light wins- it pierces the darkness, and the darkness- though opposed, must yield to it.  We would do well to yield to Christ and follow Him who brings life and light.

Prayer: Be my life and light today, O Lord.  Help me to have hope in your light.  Let me remember that you came to give us hope and life.

John Calvin abridged: John has been saying the Speech of God was at creation and creating.  Now He says that God sustains life.  God's continual speech is inspiration and vigor to the world so that without it, we would decay (Acts 17:28).  The "light" spoken of here as given by the Speech is the light of understanding that separates us from brute beasts.  Amidst the thick darkness, the light of understanding still shines.