At the beginning of Advent we shared from Isaiah 9.2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a Light has dawned.
This passage in John 1 is the fulfillment of that prophetic vision Isaiah saw and wrote about. No wonder in I Peter 1.10 we are told "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing...
Some call John 1 "the Genesis 1 of the New Testament. Both contain many times the word "light" and many references to life. John 1 in addition to speaking about the creation of the world speaks of the new creation through Jesus Christ, Paradise Regained. In this passage we see the Christmas Story on a deeper level- In Matthew and Luke we are told of Christ's Coming to earth. John tells us of Christ's Coming from heaven.
Light Shining Into the Darkness.
Jesus was born at night.
He was born during a dark time in world history.
Notice from this passage in John 1:
1. Christ's Life Is the Light Of Men. -v.4
He shines and the Truth is revealed.
He makes clear the meaning of human existence and its destiny.
To those whom do not know Christ this is a blur.
He sheds light on the issues, the real issues, of life.
Take for example, taking advantage of people. Jesus taught that we are to treat others in the same manner we would want to be treated. He elevated standards to the highest. He brought to a sinful world the holiness of God. He taught love in a way it had never been taught before. He is love.
One out of seven I am told, verses which record Jesus' words, are about money. The number one cause of marital break down today is rooted in stress over money.
Colossians 2.2-3
Christ... in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
What a great reserve of wealth is in Christ. His glorious riches.
2. Jesus Shines In The Darkest Places. -v.5
Read some books about Faith Missions and you'll see how God makes the darkness light. The slums of Bombay, The Church of China- look at what the LORD is doing in Africa!
He does it in our lives- we who have received it.
Psalm 18.28 David declared, "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 27.1 The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?
In obscure places like Bethlehem the Light shines. The wise men followed the star in a similar way the children of Israel followed the Pillar of Fire in the desert.
3. On the Night Jesus Was Born, Light Came Into The World. -v.9
In the manger.
In the shepherd's fields.
In the Eastern Sky.
Into the hearts of all who open up to Him.
He is the true light.
The Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
The Light has dawned
2,000 years ago
Celebrate His Love!
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