In him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 WEB
This statement is a part of John’s initial description of Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. Calling Christ “the light of men,” John makes early reference to the life force present in the Son of God. John’s first three verses describe Christ as the Word of God, present for creation and the agent of creation. John then described Christ as the light of men. In John 1:5 he further asserts, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. WEB”
John’s words affirm his eye witness account to the life, death, and resurrected Christ. Jesus’ ministry called sinners to repentance with the promise of reconciliation to God through Christ our redeemer. Jesus truly is the light of men. As the pure Word of God, everything he ever spoke came from the very mouth of God. His words carry the power of life and death both here and in the hereafter.
Jesus famously said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. WEB” As sinners, there is a price to pay for our transgressions. There is judgment and condemnation for sin. But there is forgiveness and restoration for repentance. Forgiveness comes in the final atonement sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In repentance, those who accept God’s forgiveness accept the sacrifice the Lord made in our place on the cross.
The Light of the World
On the cross, Jesus paid for the sins of all humanity for all of time. John’s witness to the resurrected Jesus, proof of eternal things, certainly influenced his description of Christ as “the light of men.” But in reference to prophecy recorded in Isaiah 60:1, Jesus said of himself in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. WEB”
Jesus is the Word of God and therefore the light of men. Everything he said and did came directly from our heavenly Father. As the obedient Son of God, Jesus explained in John 12:49, “For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak WEB.”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the light of your holy word. Thank you for sharing the seriousness and sincerity of your love in Jesus Christ. Guide me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Help me to live according to your word and will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Love Is Patient
