The true Light

John 1:9

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

There are many lights in this world. There are many sources of illumination. Some provide intellectual light, some provide epistemological light, some provide natural light, and some provide physical light. But these are many times not the true Light. The true Light is Jesus Christ. While these others may give us small measures of illumination, and may shine upon certain facets of our life and existence, there is only One which permeates them all. The Light of Christ! That is the true knowledge! That is real understanding! That opens to us the truths of nature and of Creation! It allows us to see the truth clearly, and see our own minds more candidly. For it dispels darkness and allows the glorious light of God to penetrate and shine forth. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, the great Apostle has said. It gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Now, our passage today makes an astounding statement. It is a statement that jolts and jars us; it is a statement that uproots the presuppositions of many and reorders the belief systems of others. The true Light lighteth every man that cometh into the world! Every man! Every woman! Every person is illuminated by this Great Light! Now how could this be? Are there not those who have never heard? Are there not some who have no written or spoken revelation available to them? Are there not those, who without a preacher will continue in their primitive, barbaric, backward ways of life? Yes, it is true that they will not hear without a preacher. And yes, it is true that the name of Christ is the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved. But there is a unique quality present in the light of Christ, that is nowhere else seen. There is a special illumination that Christ gives to all. What does this mean? Does it not mean that God has instilled in each of us the understanding of sin, of consequences, and of death? Has He not imprinted on our souls the truth of an afterlife, of our meeting with God? And how does He enlighten people? He is doing this even now. And He has done it through intrepid explorers, and impassioned preachers. He has done it through energized evangelists, and dedicated missionaries. Yes, this light has continued to spread throughout the world, so that Christ’s gospel has reached the farthest corners of the globe. There is no type of man that has not heard this message. This is what it means. It has gone across the tallest mountain and the deepest valley; it has trudged through the widest river, and crossed the most barren wilderness. The steppes of the East and the hills of the West have been trekked and traversed. Peoples of every tribe, kindred, and nation have come under the glorious spell of His everlasting redemption. Now, it must go onward! The Light of Christ must cut through the evil and the confusion, the depravity and the poverty. It must advance! Who has the light, except those that have received it? Carry the light today, brother. Uphold the torch today, sister, that the Light of Christ may enlighten all that come into this world!

“Father, we thank you for the light of Christ, and more specifically, we thank you for how that we have received that Light, and have become children of God. Let us carry it forth to this world, crossing every boundary and barrier, with your help, to get the light to others. We praise you for this light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”