John 1: 1-18 |
The Life-Light
1 1-2 The Word was first, 3-5 Everything was created through him; 6-8 There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. 9-13 The Life-Light was the real thing: 14 The Word became flesh and blood, 15 John pointed him out and called, “This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word.” 16-18 We all live off his generous bounty, |
Jesus - The Life-Light
This passage is read every year at our school carol service and so it instantly makes me think of Christmas; however, to bring variety I read these verses in the Message, where they are given the title “the Life-Light.”
As you are reading this it will be close to the shortest day – so, light is very important just now. I visited the Discovery Museum in Dundee recently and as part of the tour you can go aboard the ship that Scott, Shackleton and many other brave explorers and scientists sailed upon to try to be the first to reach the South Pole. The reports of their time there tell of the initial rush on arrival to ensure that everything that needed to be done would be achieved before the 24 hour darkness of winter during the months of May to July set in. The darkness would restrict what they were able to see and do.
For some the dark nights and mornings are gloomy and they long for the summer days of daylight, but maybe we could use the blaze of light that fills a room when we switch on a lamp or Christmas lights as a reminder of our ever present personal Life-Light, Jesus, who wants to help and guide us and allow us to see what we need to do day by day. The Message phrases it as “the Life was Light to live by.”
Diane