Week 31 Sunday

Light and Life

Today’s scripture selection: John 1-2

Key Verses: John 1:4-5

     I love the way the apostle John begins his gospel.

     While the other gospel writers start right in with the historic details of Jesus’ life – John takes another, much more dramatic, angle.

     “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

     When you start the story that way – you just know something dramatic is ahead.  And then there’s this:

     “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.”

     Jesus as the Word of Life – and the Everlasting Light that once and for all conquers the darkness – dramatic stuff indeed.

     People have all sorts of opinion about who this Jesus is.

     For some, he’s a great teacher – along with all the other great philosophers and teachers.  For others, he’s a miracle worker.  Still others like to focus on his compassion or strength.  We have country songs about Jesus “taking the wheel” of our life; and rock songs that say “Jesus is just O.K. with me.” And there are more theologians than you can shake a stick at, all with their own books and lofty ideas about who the Nazarene was and who the risen Christ is.  But for John – it’s clear – Christ is the light of the world; and the one source of everlasting life.  And the darkness of this world – the evil and confusion and hardship and illness and death that threatens us daily? – it’s what Christ has conquered – forever.

     It’s all about spiritual warfare.  There is a clear victor and an equally clear, vanquished foe.

     I don’t know about you, but I find that very comforting.

     There are many things I don’t understand about life these days.  But one thing I do know – Christ is the answer to my deepest questions; the fulfillment of my deepest needs.  How about you?

Who is the Word; the Light; the Life – to you?

Prayer: Lord, when the darkness seems to be winning, remind me that you have already conquered it – that it has never understood you – and never will.  AMEN.