John began his Gospel with those great words, “In the beginning was the Word…” And after affirming the truth that Jesus Christ (the Word) was truly God and the One through Whom everything that has been created was created, he continues his evangelistic Gospel by declaring, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)
John tells us that this Jesus was and is the only source of light and life. He didn’t get life from anyone. He didn’t discover life from another source. He WAS and IS life. Not only was He the creator of human life, He was and is also the source of spiritual life. Jesus Himself said in John 8:12, “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
We live in a world of darkness and sin, and the ONLY hope we have for light and true life is through the One Who created and made us. His glorious light shines out in this world of darkness as a beacon of hope for all who will see it and believe in Him. Satan has tried time and again to destroy Jesus and extinguish the light, but he has NO power over the true Light. “The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness HAS NOT overcome it!” Overcome means to overpower something, and nothing created can overpower the Creator!
Hebrews 1:3 tells us, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” The glorious Light of the Gospel created all things and gives life and light to those who will believe in Him. We must believe in Who He Is…equal with God, the One through Whom God created everything, and the only source of true Light and Life.