Jesus, the Light of the World

John 1:6-11

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.

John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin (Luke 1:5-25, 39-45) but didn’t know Jesus was the Messiah until God revealed it to him.  And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.  I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'  And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.

Until the day Jesus stepped into the water to be baptized, John had no clue.  God gave him specific criteria that had to be met in order to find out who the Messiah was. 

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

John said he wasn’t the Messiah when asked by the Pharisees: He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

Jesus told the people around Him that He was the Messiah.  He made it clear again and again.  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  

He equated Himself with the Father, so that the religious leaders wanted to kill him.  He specifically used the phrase “I Am” when referring to Himself, which was the Tanakh, the Unutterable Name of God. 

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

He promises that we don’t have to walk in darkness any longer! Since you no longer walk in darkness, you can live your life in such a way as to bring Him glory.  When you are His, you reflect the Light, so that others can see it.  “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16.)

Paul told the Ephesian church that they needed to emulate their Father: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (5:8-9.)  It was for this purpose we were saved from our sins—to proclaim the praises of Him “who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous kingdom of light” (1 Peter 2:9.)

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

How ironic that He Who made the world and all that is in it, the Maker Himself, was not known by His creation.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  Have you ever felt rejected?  Jesus was rejected.  He is a high priest who knows our weaknesses, as it says in Hebrews. 

The Pharisees rejected Him because of fear.  During their secret council, the leaders of the nation said "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation” (John 11:48.)  His hometown rejected Him.  “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house” (Matthew 13:57) and His own family rejected Him. 

He was homeless, rejected of the world, and for what?  Philippians 2 says He humbled Himself “and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”  He made Himself “of no reputation,” so He could take our place.  He became accursed (Deuteronomy 21:23) so that we could be forgiven. 

The witness of John the Baptist is that Jesus is the promised Messiah.  He confirmed that Jesus was the one by the sign of the dove coming down and alighting on Jesus.  There were two witnesses of who Jesus was—the Father, who gave the sign, and John, who saw the sign.  In the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established Deuteronomy 19:15.

He took my sin and nailed it to the cross, so that I can have His life.  What a great deal for me!  I get eternal life, and in the meantime I get to live a good life, knowing I please God because He accepts Jesus’ death for what I deserved: death, Hell, and eternal punishment.

Recall that I mentioned the key to John: These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and in believing that you might have life in His name.

Do you believe?  Jesus is the Messiah, the Light of the World, the Word made flesh, who lived, and still lives, that we might know God.  Would you know Him?

     Dear Abba,

Thank You for the Light of Your Word! and for Your goodness toward me…for forgiveness, for your mercy, for your grace when I fail.  

     I love you, Lord.  Thank you for making me alive in Jesus.  Help me to shine Your light toward others today.  Help me to look to you for all my needs.

Help me to trust You in all things.

Your daughter,

Donna

The Word of God

The Gospel of John doesn't include a genealogy, as do Matthew and Luke.  Instead, the work begins thus:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 

“Jesus was around before Adam, because He always existed before time began, as God.” Chuck Smith says in his introduction to the book of John.

The key to John is found in 20:31—

  These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you will have life in His name. 

A picture of who Jesus is will shine through this Gospel of John.  I hope you will read through with me and enjoy learning about our great God and King, our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Eternal Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Jesus perfectly manifests God—His works, His life, but especially His Word. 

.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 

One paraphrase puts it this way:

“He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make.”

John further describes God by showing Him as the Creator: Jesus was the Word spoken during creation.  Whenever we read “and God said” it was answered Jesus Himself with creative power going forth, joyfully moving and making according to His good pleasure.  I was reminded of the Revelation:

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power: for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created" (Rev. 4:11.)

The next verse reads-

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Light can have many uses, but the most useful thing light does is to let me see in the dark.  I need to be able to “see” in this dark world—to see the Light of God and follow Him. 

Funny thing about that.  If you ask God to help you see better to follow Him, He will answer you with a “yes!” because that is exactly what He wants for you. 

Following Him isn’t easy for several reasons, but the most practical of these is that we don’t want to give up our way. 

You can’t follow one path if you refuse to get off the one you’re on!  I can picture a path split by a tree, and me standing there wondering what to do…and I can see you there with me. 

The darkness did not comprehend it

Strong’s Concordance says “comprehend” means “catch” it or “seize” it.  Darkness doesn’t get light.  And people don’t get it when you choose light.  In fact, sometimes your friends desert you when you start seeking after God.  When you leave the path of darkness, and step out onto the path of life, the narrow road, they may reject you. 

He who hears you hears Me, and he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.

--Luke 10:16

Don’t let the people who reject Him, and who appear to reject you, keep you from the path of Life!  Walk in the Light and:

·       Don’t walk in the darkness of uncertainty in fear of the future.  God knows your future, and has it, and you, in His hands.

·       Walk in the light of His presence and fellowship. 

If we walk in the Light as He is in the Light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin

--1 John 1:7

·       Walk in the light of His Word, and know His presence with you.

       For the Word of God is living and powerful

                                                            --Hebrews 4:12

·       Walk in the light of His protection

The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

                                                     --Psalms 34:7

I think the Lord would say to you:

                   Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.

                                                                        --Psalm 37:3

Here’s my prayer, and you can pray it with me:

            Dear Abba,

 Thank you for sending Jesus to be my light in this dark world.  I need to see you so I can serve you.  Please help me to walk in your light.

Light my path, Lord:

·       Show me how to serve you today

·       Give me insight into how to share you with my family and friends

·       Lighten my personal darkness by keeping me from sinning against you

Help me to remember that not everyone will like your Light, and I might be rejected by some.  I know it’s not me they reject, but you.  Prepare me to be able to receive rejection for your sake.

Thank you for giving me Jesus, Your Light and Your Word.  Help me to believe in You more and more.

Your Child,

Donna

The Lord is a Sun and Shield

This blog is all about spending time daily reading the Bible.  Hold on, don't click that back button!  You're thinking the Bible is just a book, so what's the big deal?  Ah, but it's so much more!


     At the Calvary Chapel Women's Retreat (Bullhead City, Arizona) this year, my scripture was amazing: 


                        The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory;
                             No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  (Psalm 84:11) 


     I say it was amazing because I know that the word of God is never just an empty platitude, or a catchy phrase: God says of His Word that 


                           As the rain comes down
                                and the snow from heaven, 
                           And do not return there, but water the earth,
                                And make it bring forth and bud,
                           That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 
                                So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
                           It shall not return to me without fruit,
                               But it shall accomplish what I please,
                           And it shall prosper in the thing for which I send it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

     God takes His word so seriously that David said, 

I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. (Psalm 138:2)

God honors His word above His name...and that says a lot about His character.  If He makes a promise, He keeps it.

     When you read the Word of God, do you believe that God will use it in your life?  You do if you believe the God of the Bible, who
                          
                          Created the world in 6 days and rested (Genesis)
                          Caused the sun to stand still in the day and the moon at night (Joshua)
                          Prophesied of the coming Messiah (Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, etc.)
                          Brought the dead to life (John)
                          Prepared a place for us to live with Him forever (John 14)
                          Willingly lay down His life for our sins (John 10:17)


And if you believe, do you read what God has said to you?  Here are some promises for those who will read this book:  

                 He gives delight and wisdom through His word:
Your testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. (Psalm 119:24)


                 He promises peace when we love His word:
Great peace have those who love Your law, 
And nothing causes them to stumble. (Psalm 119:165)
               
                His word is a light to live by: 
 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)


               His word can revive you (Both physically but most importantly spiritually!):
I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. (Psalm 119:107)


              His word gives hope:
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. (Psalm 119:114)


     I don't pretend to be a theologian, but I have known the Lord and walked with Him for several years, and I can attest that His Word brings Life.  Those that trust Him will not be ashamed, as the Psalmist said.  


     I'm going to offer my daily devotion and share the things God is doing in my life through this page, in the hope that you will get excited about reading God's word and studying it with me.


I'm going to add some links that will help you get started.  Read the Bible online at 


http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm


While there, you can listen to Sherry Youngward's scripture songs, either download them or just listen.  Here's the link:


http://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bio.cfm?bio=bio_y_o_youngward_s


If you need prayer, email me at this address and I'll contact you personally


donnalcologna@gmail.com


God bless you as you read His Living Word!