sun rising over a lake

Let There Be Light

Light and dark are not just opposites, they mark the beginning of time when God launched creation with the heavens and the earth.  Because darkness reigned over the earth, God said, “’Let there be light,’ and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’” (Genesis 1:3-4) That light did not come from the sun, moon, or stars, as they were not created until the fourth day.  But light as an expression of God’s Person burst forth from the spoken word.  Scripture helps us see God’s heavenly reality with this description: “God who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.”  (1 Timothy 6:16) It was this light that drove darkness into an allocated number of hours by God’s design. 

Jesus’ role in the Creation process was revealed by the Apostle John as the Word made flesh. (John 1:1-2, 14) Jesus’ pre-incarnate form as the Word was responsible for light and every material thing, and therefore permitted Jesus to describe Himself to people thusly: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

With this Truth, Jesus tied light and darkness to the spiritual reality of good versus evil.  He used the healing of a man born blind to illustrate the blessing of light.  As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5)  The infamous night of this passage was the night Judas betrayed Jesus into the hands of the Priests and Pharisees.  Satan ruled that night, controlling Judas and all who condemned Jesus to death. The goal was snuffing out the light of the world.

Throughout the 2000+ years since then, the battle between light and darkness has ensued.  It is as blatant now as it was the night before Jesus was crucified.  It is seen in anger, hatred, greed, self-righteousness, lies, and the murder of the unborn.  It is present in our government, businesses, churches, schools, entertainment, and families.  But perhaps the most insidious form of evil is where it masquerades as truth and therefore is not as apparent.  Spiritual darkness is present wherever fog and confusion abound, or where situations seem hopeless, like a failing marriage, an obstinate prodigal child, a financial crisis with no apparent resolution, or the death of a loved one.  Anywhere there is unrelenting pain, darkness is present.  On the night of the betrayal, Satan spread darkness over the world that did not lift. It manifested in dashed hope and expectations, excruciating sadness, and a complete absence of joy that rendered life meaningless and purposeless.

The weight of this darkness reigned until a miracle occurred on the third day.  Creation light was loosed in a totally new intensified form, resurrection light, God’s form in Eternity.  This is an unending power Source, light that will never fade, light that shines the way where there seems to be no way.  It comes with Jesus’ Presence for all who desire Him.  In His Presence are hope and joy.  Living in this reality brings strength we do not possess apart from Him.  Singer and songwriter, Toby Mac, knows this reality first-hand.  Darkness tried to consume him following the death of his son.  Yet, the light of Jesus prevailed in power, punctuating the lyrics to one of Toby’s previous songs.

“I wanna be in the light as You are in the light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord, be my light and be my salvation
‘Cause all I want is to be in the light.”

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

1 Comments

  1. Phil Watson on January 28, 2025 at 11:03 am

    Wonderful Word❗️🙏