LIGHT AND LIFE
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men." - John 1:4
This is one of the most relevant and applicable verses in all of Scripture. All that mankind knows is darkness. It is why there is disease, suffering, war, and death. Finite man knows nothing of light- only darkness. Jesus, Himself, said it best: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world (speaking of Himself), and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19) Darkness is not just all that human beings know, it is that which we love.
The very act of rebellion is often exhilarating. There is pleasure in an act of defiance, which makes us feel like nothing else can. Though it seems enjoyable in the moment, it is still darkness. One cannot find his/ her way in darkness- not without light to guide the way. Job said, "They grope in the dark without light." What a depressing way too live; to grope in darkness, looking for something of hope to grasp- yet, unable to locate anything in the darkness. The scope of the need for light goes far beyond this discription (please refer to link for more info: http://all4thegloryofchrist.blogspot.com/2011/02/believing-in-something.html.) Yet, the need for light was and still is obvious.
"In Him was life..."
Darkness is a picture of death. In actuality, without light there is no vitality- no life! The warmth of light is that which gives life and sustenance to all of creation. Darkness is a picture of who we truly are. Though the reasons sometimes go deeper than this, many of the suicides that take place are a result of individuals seeing nothing but darkness. The chief end for all who perish in darkness is an eternity in a place called hell, separated from the only source of life- the Creator, Himself. In Him is all things needed. He is holy- separate and unable to even be compared to others. He is the standard. He is omniscient; all-knowing. He is omnipresent; everywhere at all time. This means that He knows no darkness. He is omnipotent; all-powerful. He is immutable- never changing. He is the source of mercy, which rewards not that which is deserved. He is the source of grace, supplying that which is not deserved and cannot be earned. He is majestic- solitude in His character and attributes. He is One to be admired and in awe of. In summary, He is everything that mankind is not and that which we never can be in our own ability.
Yet, two thousand years ago, this very God became a man- Jesus of Nazareth. He became man without ceasing to be God. He was literally God robed in mortal flesh. If a human being puts on a robe, it does not make the person any less human under the robe. The individual has not lessened or diminished themselves in any way. It is simply adding something to the exterior. Likewise, Jesus became man without ceasing to be God.
Jesus took a body- being born of a virgin, with no earthly father. He was Holy-Spirit-conceived into the womb of Mary, preserving His deity. God was now living life as a human being. He was living and breathing as a human, among other humans. He did something that no other man could ever do: He live His entire life, having never sinned one, single time. He lived and led a sinless, spotless, shamless. blameless life. Yet, God became a man. "In Him was life..."
All of human life and existence results in death. Death is a result of the sin on mankind. Were there no sin, there would be no death. However, both are prevalent and inevitable. Yet, those in the past and present, as well as those who will be in the future, all find one point in human history to look to as a focal point of life beyond the grave. Midst the deadness of all of human history, shines forth the life that dwelt inside of Jesus. It was eternal life- of which He is the only source.
... and the life was the light of the world."
For some peculiar reason, mankind loves darkness. Though many be offered a torch, they still refuse the light. Why? Because all of mankind is depraved. We come short of attaining the light because, truth be told, we love the darkness. A human being's best, noblest effort is still merely unrighteousness- just more darkness. In fact, the only way one could ever know of light is if the light is seen and sought out.
God became a human life to provide light to those in darkness. His life was only a means to bring about His death. Yet, His death brought forth life- eternal life. Jesus volintarily experienced greater darkness than anyone could ever imagine- both physically and spiritually. He took upon Him every darkness, every sin, that was rightly ours. The prophet Isaiah prophesied over six hundred years before God's advent as a man, "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6) While dying as mankind's sacrifice, He became every act of darkness that has ever been commited or would ever be committed.
Through His life, He did two things that you and I could never do. As was afore mentioned, He lived a substitutionary, sinless life that you and I could never live on our own. Second, He died for sin and went to heaven. If you and I were to die for our sins, we would not go to heaven. We would go to hell. The payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23,) and there is going to be a day when death and hell are cast into the lake of fire together (Revelation 20:14.)
Jesus' life as a human being was necissary for His vicarious death. However, it does not end with just His death. After three day, just as He predicted, He arose from the grave- victorious over death, hell, the grave, and darkness. Thus, through one substituionary act, Jesus provided light and eternal life for all who grope in darkness.
Two thousand years later, the light still shines in darkness. Is God shining His light upon you today? He is the only source of light. Do not bother looking anywhere else. Look into the light and follow the light. It will inevitably lead you to Jesus. He offers eternal life... life that can be a present possession and will be redeemed when the life in our mortal body ceases. Through the power of His drawing Spirit, turn from darkness to light! Turn from sin to righteousness! Turn to the light today!
There is a need for all to hear of the light that shines. The Great Commandment of our Lord was to go "into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) His life cannot be "the light of men" if one never hears. It is the responsibility of all who have this life to do best to make sure that others know of this life.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" - Romans 10:9-14
