My Daily, Triumphant Light

John 1:4-5

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5

Jesus is not only our source of life. He is our light. He is the light. 

The Word who became flesh and dwelt among us does not simply contain light. He does not carry with Him something that shines light, so wherever He goes, the light He brings with Him shines before Him.

If that were the case, we could not put our hope or trust in Him. The light He carried and had no power of sourcing might go out at any moment. 

But this is not the case. Jesus Himself is the source of light. The life that comes forth from our Savior brings about light into our world. This is good news indeed! Why?

Because this light shines into our darkness, and the darkness has not, cannot and will not overcome it. Just as God spoke into the darkness during creation, bringing forth light to dispel the physical darkness, so too does the light of Jesus expel spiritual darkness in our hearts.

Some Bible translations use the word “comprehend” in the place of “overcome.” This word “comprehend” means to take eagerly, seize, possess, to lay hold of so as to possess as one’s own. John is telling us clearly how the spiritual darkness cannot possibly take, seize or possess the light of Jesus. 

Perhaps that is easy for you to understand today. You agree completely with the fact that Satan and his evil will never overcome the life and light of Jesus. But do you apply this understanding to your daily life? Do you experience daily joy because you understand this light-filled truth?

The mundaneness of life — and many times the darkness of life — place a shade over the light of Jesus in our daily lives. This is not to say darkness overcomes the light in those moments, but rather we turn our eyes away from the light. 

Dark days are hard days. Whether it’s the physical darkness of winter, the emotional darkness of tragedy, or the mental darkness of too many reasons to list — darkness can feel like a pressure on one’s soul. Our brains remind us that Jesus is our light, but that reminder might not make its way into the murkiness of whatever our struggle is that day. 

Which is why it is extremely important to trust that Jesus doesn’t point us to the light. He is the light. The light that the darkness cannot overcome.

When we put our hope and trust in this truth, then we will stop attempting to drag ourselves out of the darkness. Rather, we will turn our eyes to Jesus. When we start looking to the source of light instead of desperately attempting to find some way out ourselves, we will begin understanding how we can experience joy and peace right where we are. For Jesus wins in the end. The darkness you experience right now is not the end.

How does this look practically?

First, through surrender. We must stop attempting all the worldly ways of making ourselves feel better before we turn our eyes to Jesus. Surrender your struggles to Him, and trust that His light will guide you in truth.

Second, remember how the light and life of Jesus did not cure the world of all darkness. He shines into the darkness, but He has yet to remove the darkness. As we walk through scenarios that feel rather dark to us, trust in Jesus’ timing and His plan. Ask Him to strengthen your trust and hope in Him. And don’t grow discouraged when you wonder why He hasn’t removed the darkness yet. Remember, the darkness will never seize, lay hold of or possess the light.

Third, praise Jesus that He will one day turn all darkness into light. He wastes nothing, and He works out all things for His glory. If we believe this to be true, then we can praise Him right now for the future light and glory of our current circumstances. Beauty from ashes, death to life, darkness to light. We cannot ignore the joy of this truth!

May you look today to the light of Jesus, allowing that light to guide you into joy and peace for His glory.