01.2 John – The Power of Light

Have you thought about just how powerful light really is?  We measure distances in light years, based on the light traveling over that distance of 6 trillion miles in a year.  And the light doesn’t end at that point.  We see stars in the night sky that are trillions of miles away and yet they light up the night on our planet.

Anyone who has ever worked a night shift knows just how difficult it is to avoid the light of day.  As a kid, my folks would often wake me for the third of fourth time by flipping on the light in my room and I would fuss and pull pillows over my head, but still could not hide.

But to then recognize that Jesus’ life is the light to all mankind (v5), but that the world did not recognize Him or receive Him (v9-10).

Think about just how much effort is required to hide from the light.  You first have to shield your eyes, your spirit, your mind.  You have to hide in the darkness of lies and falsehoods.  You have to make up explanations for every sign that points to God, which is all of creation.  You have to come up with new theories and then emphatically argue them to be true instead of the real truth.  You have to so fully fill your life with darkness and hate and deceit and distrust and false love and false brotherhood and false caring that you can deny that Jesus is the light.

And, yet, the light keeps popping up.  People keep witnessing to it.  The gospel continues to be good news.  It seems the more that darkness tries to overcome the light, the more the light bursts forth in new directions with new believers.

Do you realize the most oppressed countries in the world are also the fastest growing in terms of new believers in Christ?

We can see the troubles all around us, and become focused on the problems of the world and the daily talking heads.  But that is not what we are called to do, that is simply a form of shadow, a diversion from moving forward into the light of Jesus and eternal life.  2 Cor 4:18 tells us:, “So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” TLB

My Answers:

3.
In the beginning was the Word, The Word was with God and the Word was God.  Jesus did not come into existence at his human birth, He is an eternal part of the trinity of God in the creation and with all attributes of God

4.
G:God created – Jesus is God
C: Jesus is the image of the invisible God, He Created and He is before all things and holds  togthr
H: Appointed heir of all things, son of God, radiance of God’s glory, exact representation of being

5.
All things, visible and invisible (physical and spiritual) were created in Him, thrones, powers, rulers and authorities.  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is creator of all. –  He is my king and my lord (and savior)

6.
Light is grace and majesty, darkness is evil.  Light is the presence of God, darkness is to be out of His presence.  Darkness hides sinful deeds, light brings them to repentance.  Light is truth, darkness is lies.  Light is everlasting life, darkness is death.  Light overcomes darkness, darkness cannot overcome light.