The book of John gives us a power-packed intro. The author gives us one of the best descriptions and solid truths about Jesus. In verse 4, he says “In him was life; and the life was the light of men”. Today’s blog post unravels Jesus as the life and light of men.
Light
Light can signify hope. This is because at the beginning of light is life. And where there is life, they say, there is hope.
Light brings revelation. Whatever has been concealed becomes revealed with light. Jesus is that light that reveals to us our sinfulness. He makes us understand that the things we consider normal or okay could be wrong in God’s sight. Furthermore, He puts us on the right track.
If you were in a completely dark room, you may bump into things on the way or even trip and fall. You may also fail to pinpoint where the door is. You would be completely directionless. However, light will make a difference. With it, direction comes.
In Him was life
Earlier in that chapter, we see that all that was created was created by Jesus. Colossians 1:16-17 lets us know that nothing was created outside of Him. That is, He is not just the author of creation but the very essence of creation. Without Him, nothing can come into existence. But John 1:4 moves beyond life as in existence. It refers to the saving life we can find nowhere else but in Jesus Christ. The Scripture gives us multiple proofs that there is no salvation and surely, no life outside of Him.
The life was the light of men
This saving life became our illumination. It became our deliverance from evil and solution to darkness. Outside Jesus exists death and darkness but in Him is life and that life is our light.
The life that Jesus gives takes away our spiritual blindness and gives us the light we need to see. (Jn. 1:4)
The moment you find life in Jesus, you start to see. You could be deep in sin, romancing the devil even, but not know. However, the moment you become united with Jesus, your eyes are flooded with light. You no longer move in a directionless manner because you have enough light to guide you. Gradually, those things from your former, sinful lifestyle become less and less attractive. Why? Light will always repel darkness and you have light-giving life now. (Jn. 1:5)
Jesus tells us that whoever walks in darkness does not know where he is going. This is true both literally and spiritually. Everyone that walks in Christ the light has life and is assured eternal life. But those who move in darkness have no assurance of their eternity. (Jn. 12:35)
Unbelievers do not have this life that is in Christ. They do not have the light that they need to see. They head straight for a ditch but can’t tell because they are without the light. Therefore, it has become the responsibility of believers to inform them about this life. It is our responsibility to bring Jesus to them. It is a dark and deadly world without Jesus. (Acts 13:47)
Jesus is the life and light
Jesus does not just have life and light. Jesus is light and life. He is our shield from the kingdom of darkness and our hope of eternal life. The scripture tells us that when we walk with Jesus, we become the light. His light nature rubs off on us and we become just like Him. It is a ripple effect of receiving Him into our lives. Our life becomes His life, by implication, we receive His light and become light as well. (Jn. 12:35-36)
This is a charge to believers to keep walking in the light. Ephesians 5:8 tells us that we are light so we must behave in such a manner. We have been moved from the kingdom of darkness to light. We have crossed from death to life. The only way to keep it that way is to keep walking with the Life and the Light.
Jesus tells us that whoever walks with Him will no longer walk in darkness but will have the light of life (Jn. 8:12). This light of life cannot be found anywhere else but in Jesus. If you desire salvation from darkness, to receive the light of life, say this prayer: Dear Jesus, I thank you for saving me and for giving me your life. From now on, I acknowledge you as my Lord, even as I begin to walk with you, that I may have the light of life. Amen.
Faith+blog 