By Pastor Mike Crump
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4
The opening of the book of John is one of the most glorious descriptions of our Savior. In these verses we catch a glimpse of the divine reality of Jesus as the Word, who is Himself God in the flesh. He is the Creator of all things and in His very being is life itself. John then writes that this “life is the light of men”. Later in John’s gospel we read the words of Jesus confirming this truth when he says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).” In both instances light and life are intrinsically connected, but how?
In order to help answer this question I believe it can be helpful to move from the lesser to the greater. Therefore, let’s consider the natural and work our way to the spiritual. While I would love to dive into the electromagnetic properties of light or the streams of photons that make up light energy, I am not smart enough to handle that discussion. Instead, let’s simply define light as the natural agent that makes things visible. In God’s grand design, he created light waves that bounce off objects and into our eyes so that we can see and understand the world around us. I can see the glistening skin of an apple and know if it’s good to eat. I can watch the face of my granddaughter to know if she is happy or in desperate need of a nap. Ultimately, because of this grand design we can observe the world around us in vivid detail so that we may know the truth about our world and even God Himself. Paul writes of this in Romans:
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Rom 1:20)
The nature of light allows for revelation and an understanding of the world around us. It’s also through this light that we behold creation along with the power and nature of God. Yet, the power of natural light is limited. Light provides illumination of an earth, which declares the glory of God (Ps 19:1), but it lacks the ability to illuminate how I can be made right with Him. Therefore, natural light may provide enough vision for us to live out our days on earth, but without a greater light there is no hope for people in spiritual darkness.
This leads us to the greater light, Jesus. He is the light of the world because it is through Him that we can see all reality with clarity. Just as beams of sunlight fall upon the mountains to reveal their grandeur, so it is that Jesus fell upon this earth so that we may behold the glory of God. We see this most clearly in Hebrews 1 when the author writes, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb 1:3). Jesus shines forth in brilliance, not only revealing more of the character and nature of God but also shining a light on a path that leads to eternal life. This is why the light and life are deeply connected in Jesus. He reveals to us a way to be made right with the very God who was revealed by creation. If Jesus came to reveal the Father but did not die in our place then we would have light but no life. The good news is that because the Father is abounding in steadfast love, Jesus therefore displays that love in the most incredible way possible – dying for sinners. The cross of Christ united light and life in a moment of majestic brilliance, because in that one act we see most clearly the love of God and the way of salvation.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, if you have been set free from darkness do not return to it. Instead, bask in the light of Christ and speak of this light to all those lingering in the dark for “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).