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Jesus - Creator, Life and Light of the World

John 1:3-5
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (NIVUK)

Before Jesus was born, He created the world and everything in it (Colossians 1:15-17).  He was not an observer of creation but its Chief Executive!  Indeed, there was no part of creation which was not personally brought into being by Him.  Time only started when He made the physical universe, and He is still its Master.  Where did all the energy come from?  It came from the 'Word' who was God.  He was also the source of all light and life.

What an amazing person with inexhaustible power and intricate mastery, fitting everything together perfectly!  And yet He chose to be limited to a human body in time and space.  But why?  Some say He is an example of God’s love, a great moral teacher, and an inspiring sacrificial leader.  He is all that but none is the key to unlock the question.  1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body …”  Without a body, even God cannot die.  Only God was pure enough to take all our sins into Himself and be punished instead of us so that we might be able to come to God (Romans 8:3).

Jesus is not just a man; He is the source of all life, physical and spiritual.  We would not be alive if it was not for Him, and we cannot have any relationship with God, apart from Him.  In the same way that darkness cannot exist where light is present, so He is the Master over physical and spiritual darkness.  John wrote about that in John chapter 9 when he described how Jesus brought sight to the man who had been born blind.  Jesus said, in John 9:5, “I am the light of the world”.  Wherever Jesus takes command, darkness cannot stay in control (John 1:5).  

Many people have such a dilute view of Jesus because they do not know who He is: they do not have any understanding of His awesome character or power.  They limit Him to the weakness and ignorance of human beings.  They cannot understand how He could change their lives.  But that is because they do not know He is the mighty God, author of creation, master over darkness, and the origin of life.  That is where we come in.  John has given us the truth about Jesus ('gospel' means 'good news'), and we have the responsibility to tell others ... to share the good news (Mark 16:15).  When our friends and colleagues start to understand who Jesus is, it will be like switching on the light.  But failing to tell them is to leave them in the dark which is perilous (John 3:16-21).

Prayer 
Dear Father God. Thank You for Jesus and His amazing creative power and life-giving nature. Thank You that He dispels darkness and brings light to those who want to understand the way to eternal life. Forgive me when I have failed to tell others, keeping them in the dark. Please help me to be clear in my mind about these truths and give me boldness to explain the powerful nature of the Lord Jesus, so that they may want to follow Him also. In His Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams