In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

Explanation

Here we have two thematic words that show up in the Gospel of John regularly.  The word for life, Zoe, shows up in the New Testament  132 times, and 36 of those times are in the Gospel of John.  The word and theme of light is also repeated throughout the Gospel of John, showing up 23 times in the word “phos”.

In Jesus was life in a way that life has never been in a human being.  Sin when it is finished brings forth death.  He was without sin, and was therefore not subject to death.  He submitted Himself to death, even the death on the cross.  Because of His death, burial, and resurrection, the Bible calls Him a “quickening” Spirit or a life-giving Spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45).  Jesus brought physical life to the world in Creation.  He also brought spiritual life to the world through redemption.

The life that Jesus gave to people became “the light of men”.  The life that Jesus had and the life that He gave to those who trusted in Him was “the light of men”.  Light is a powerful metaphor in that like words, light reveals.  Light exposes.  Light is the agent by which we see what is there.  “To shed light on” something is to reveal the truth about a subject.  Jesus certainly did that, and it is by His light that we are lit.  We are “the light of the world” as we believe in and follow Him.

Application

We cannot have spiritual life in ourselves apart from Christ.  It is by His regenerating, life-giving power that we have life.  We believe and receive life from Christ.

John 20:30-31

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Similarly, we cannot have spiritual light apart from Jesus.  It is by Him that we see.

John 11:9-10

9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

John 12:35-36

35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

Response

Heavenly Father, I pray that you’d help me to see today with your eyes, with your light, in every situation I encounter.  Help me to live for you today, and to show up in a way that your light reveals truth to others.