The first recorded words out of the mouth of God were “Let there be light.” The first creative act of God was the creation of light. The first entity in existence on earth other than God Himself was light. Throughout Scripture, light continues to be a key theme.

This month I’m participating in a Bible reading and meditation challenge on The Light. I’d like to invite you to come along for the ride as we more intimately know Jesus Christ as our Light.

Why is His name, The Light, so significant? How do we abide in His light? How do we receive His light? How do we practically walk in The Light even during struggles and trials? And how do we reflect His light to others?

These are just a few of the questions we’ll be pondering this month.

Light Day 1: John 1:1-9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. ~ John 1:1-9

In this passage we see several key points:

1. The Life living inside Jesus Christ the Word is the light of men! Simply put, His life is light. Therefore, when His life dwells in us, His light shines through us. To receive His light, receive the life of Christ into your being, allowing it to live through you and control you.
2. The light shines in the darkness. No matter how dark your soul feels, no matter how deep your trials seem, no matter how powerful evil appears, no matter how strongly those around you reject you – the light of Jesus Christ shines into your life. It’s true that light shines most brightly in darkness.
3. Darkness has no power over light. Not only does light shine in darkness, darkness does not overpower it! It’s a law of nature: darkness must flee in the presence of light. There’s no need to chase the darkness of your life out before receiving the fullness of His light; simply look to Jesus and darkness has no place in you. His light is more than powerful enough to illumine every corner of your life.
4. John bore witness of the Light. As disciples of Christ, do we too bear witness of the Light of Christ? Do our lives testify “He is Light”? Do others believe Jesus Christ by seeing His Light in your life? Does every word and action reflect Him? Do the daily choices you make each moment flow from His Light/Life living in you?
5. Jesus Christ our Light lights every person who comes into the world. Abiding in and reflecting His light isn’t something only for the super-spiritual. If you’ve entered this world, you’ve been illumined by His light. Devote your life – each daily choice, mundane tasks, normal routine – to walking in Him, the true Light. Furthermore, the fact that He is the True Light means that there are false lights. By abiding in His Word continually, meditating upon it and filling our minds with it, we are equipped to discern false lights and fix our eyes only on Him as the True Light.

Meditate on this passage and on Jesus Christ our True Light who lights us. What has God showed you through this passage?