I AM The Light of the World

The world seems so dark lately. Millions are dying in Ukraine from war and starvation. Millions others in other countries are dying from hunger and murder by terrorists who are trying to get rid of Christians. Even in America, people are rioting and killing policemen and others. There’s also the darkness of sicknesses, accidents, addictions, alcoholism, trafficking and many other kinds.

We need light in our hearts. The Bible encourages us by saying:

“The light in the darkness is constantly shining,

And the darkness did not overwhelm it,”

John 1: 5, (Wuest’s translation.)

Who is this light who shines in our darkness? The Bible says:

“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 by him and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5 The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New RSV).

So the Word (who is Jesus) brought life and light to all.

It is interesting and helpful to see how these verses are different in different translations. A Greek word can be translated different ways. Look especially at the ones about light.

“Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is—nothing exists that he didn’t make. Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it. (v. 1-5, Living Bible).

The New English Bible has another way of putting it: “When all things began, the Word already was. The Word dwelt with God, and what God was, the Word was. The Word then was with God at the beginning and through him all things came to be, no single thing was created without him. All that came to be was alive with His life and that life was the light of men. The light shines on in the dark, and the darkness has never quenched it.”

Jesus said, “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.

The darkness put Jesus to death on the cross, but he didn’t stay dead. “He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose!”

The darkness did not overwhelm Jesus nor overcome him, nor extinguish him. The darkness couldn’t even comprehend him or quench his light.

Amplified New Testament says, “In the beginning {before all time} was the Word {Christ}, and the Word was with God and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through him, and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it—put it out or has not absorbed it, has not appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it.”

Therefore, if we give our lives to Jesus, become his disciples, he will shine light into our lives. We can have victory over the darkness through his power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN77HjfAc8k