John 1:9-10

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

Question: Consider the concept of “the true Light”. Why do they call Jesus the true Light? What experience have you had of this? For example, was a revelation shone into your life, a moment when the “penny dropped”?

The nature of Darkness

It’s easy to see the nature of darkness in our fallen world. Darkness is used in the bible to include wickedness and evil, sin and death, Satan and his lies, and the deceit and blindness of mankind that he causes.
Eph 6:12 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The nature of the true Light

Jesus came to save us from this darkness, and He is the opposite in every way.

• Source of real life, truth, goodness, and clear sight – (4) “in Him was life, and the life was the light of men”;
• Source of power to overcome evil, blindness and deceit – (5) “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
• Our only source of being saved from sin and death – (12) “He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”;
• He gives new and true life from God – (13) “who were born … of God.”

This contrast is spoken by Jesus to Paul in Acts 26:18, who sent him to the Gentiles, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

Personal experience

I think God gives many moments of clarity, when I am freed from the chaos and darkness of the world to know His truth, but four examples stand out over the years:

1) I fondly recall Sunday evening church services as a child. The hymn “Abide With Me” was a favourite when I was tired at the end of a weekend. Those times presented the choice of a clear alternative to the world of striving and turmoil I had known through the week, and when I was 12, I put that choice into a commitment when I was baptized.

2) My university days were a time when I saw all sorts of ungodly beliefs and behaviour, in contrast to the clear goodness and kindness shown by my evangelical Christian friends, and it was their example that I wanted to follow.

3) About 35 years ago, I attended local BSF bible study for five years, and their focus was on receiving the truth of God’s word. In contrast, I became aware of unbiblical trends within the mainstream church I attended at the time. The contrast was clear, and was reflected in attitudes and behaviour within the church, which I stopped attending.

4) During the later years of my mother’s life, when she was struggling with dementia, her thoughts about God and life were sometimes affected, but it was a privilege to offer support to help her through those struggles. I was able to encourage her in her faith, and for her to continue to give an example of faith to her family.

On one occasion during those years, I chatted over dinner with a woman who had been diagnosed with Alzheimers, and we talked at great length. She had lived a fascinating life, and I was able to talk about how Mum’s life still had purpose, and the important role she still had for our family. By the end of the evening she was very grateful for the connection we had made, as she faced the final part of her journey.

That final journey is faced by people with many different health issues. It’s a time when the vain philosophies of this world are shown to be empty. Only God’s light can shine into the darkness of this world and offer real hope.

Praise God!