Let there be light!

The very first words that we read that God speaks in the Bible are, ‘Let there be light‘ – ויאמר אלהים יהי אור ויהי אור׃ – Genesis 1:3. Amidst all of the darkness, emptiness and formlessness of creation God speaks light, and there was light; and it was good.

Whenever we see darkness in Bible, we must remember that with God there is light; and that light is life – “In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:4-5.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he 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

Jesus is the light of the world. The source of all true light. “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him.” – John 1:9.

At Christmas we remember this. We remember Jesus coming as a baby. We remember the incarnation. Emmanuelle – God with us. God in the flesh. God with us. God here with us. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” – 1 John 1:1-3.

Wow!

At His birth Jesus was bathed in light as the star shone down to show the way to the Saviour. The angels appeared in all their brilliance to the shepherds in the fields to proclaim the birth of the Saviour of all mankind.

The light had come!

But at this time of the year, we can often forget this truth. This unassailable, unshakeable, eternal truth. Jesus is the light of the world, and the light of the world has come and overcome the darkness. Darkness cannot exist in the same place as light. Switch on a torch, light a candle, open the curtains and light floods the space you are in. The darkness has to flee.

But as Halloween comes around, we believe the lies that the darkness is strong and we should fear it. We see the creepy costumes, the frightening films, the deathly decorations and the scary snacks and we see so many people revelling in the fear, and we forget that we do not need to fear. We do not need to hide. We do not need to cower until it is all over.

We need to shine.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16.

If you have believed the truth about Jesus and received Him into you life. If you are a follower of Christ, then “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

So this Halloween, do not fear. Do not hide. Jesus is the victorious one. Let His light in you shine for all to see.

Be blessed and shine!