Advent Day 7: Shine

Advent Words Day 7: Shine

"In him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness..." John 1:4-5a

The very nature of light is that it illuminates; it shines. Jesus is the source of light and He is also the light that shines spiritual illumination in our lives. Throughout the Old Testament God is featured as light. A few examples from the Psalms:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—" Psalm 27:1

"For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light." Psalm 36:9

John uses light in his writings as a metaphor for the truth and knowledge of God. So when the Light shines it makes the knowledge of God clear to men. It reveals His truth. Jesus, the light, shines and reveals God.

"By this title, Jesus is revealed as the One who knows God the Father and who makes him known. Light is a universal image for the illumination of the mind through understanding. "  James Montgomery Boice

Toward the end of His ministry on earth, Jesus said,

"Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”  John 12:35-36

Paul also speaks of Jesus' light shining and its effects:
"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:13-14

Jesus' light shines to reveal God clearly to us.

Join me in responding creatively to the Advent Words in John's prologue. You can share your creative response on Instagram using #adventwords2019 or join the Words Challenge Facebook Group and share your creative response there.