Light, no matter how small, has a natural ability to focus our attention.
As I read through John 1, my eyes and my mind are constantly drawn to the symbolism of Jesus being the light. I love this metaphor for Jesus because of the stark contrast that it has with the world of darkness and sin around us. Being in the dark brings feelings of fear and loneliness. There is just something about being alone in the darkness that is scary. We have all been there before. You start hearing sounds. Your mind plays tricks on you. Your heart starts beating faster and faster until it drowns out all other noises. You start to feel like someone is watching you, or maybe it makes you feel all alone. Being in the dark is not where we are supposed to be. There is something better.
The answer is found in Jesus. John says, “In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” The Bible often compares sin to darkness and how sin brings death, but the light of Jesus brings life and life eternal for all that allow his grace to wash over them. This reminds me of the power that light has. Light, no matter how small, has a natural ability to focus our attention. There is something about light that draws us toward it. Just think about it—when you are in dark places, you search for the light because the light is what gives you the ability to see clearly. Light always defeats darkness, never the other way around. You can never bring more darkness to make a light go away, but light instantly gets rid of darkness in the blink of an eye. In the light is where we are supposed to be.
Jesus is freely giving you this gift. As he is the light, he makes us the light. This should change the way we live our lives. We need to allow the light of Jesus to get rid of all darkness in our lives. That means allowing him in every nook and cranny. During this Christmas season when all the attention is on the presents and food, spend some time allowing the light of Jesus, the word of God, and the fellowship of his church to bring you out of darkness.
Here are a few of my favorite passages about the light of Christ.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2
When 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.”
John 8:12
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
