The light finally came on

I’ve written a lot about light lately because the Bible says a lot about light in relation to God that cannot be covered in a single article.

John 1:1-5 states of Jesus, “In him was life and that life was the light of men” and, “The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” (NIV Study Bible, 1985). When Jesus came as the Light of the World, God’s plan for salvation was revealed to the dark world (John 8:12; Romans 1:16-17; 16:25-27).

This being said, Jesus’ closest followers were some of the most confused people on earth while those still in darkness were aware of his purpose. For example, Jesus told the religious leaders they could tear down “this temple,” and he’d build it back in three days (John 2:12-20). While the Jewish leaders understood him correctly, Jesus had to keep emphasizing the facts of his eventual death, burial and resurrection to his followers, though they acknowledged he was the Messiah – the Christ, the Holy One from God (Matthew 27:62-66; 28:11-15; 16:13-28; Mark 9:30-32).

It wasn’t until after the resurrection when he opened his followers’ minds to fully understand the Scriptures (Old Testament) that the light came on and they truly understood the mysteries of his purpose in coming (Luke 24:36-49; Mark 10:45). At that time, he conferred upon them the spiritual power to understand the Scriptures and said they’d receive more power to become his witnesses to the world of the good news of salvation for all humankind, including the mysteries behind the Old Testament prophecies regarding the establishment of the church – Jesus’ kingdom, and how people become part of that kingdom (John 20:19-23; Acts 1:1-26; 2:1-41; Hebrews 12:22-29; Colossians 1:9-14; Ephesians 1:13-23; 3:7-21).

The ability to understand the Scriptures and properly share them with others still in the dark is now available to all Christians – those who’ve received the Holy Spirit as part of God’s plan for salvation unto eternal life under the New Testament (New Covenant) (Romans 10:8-13; 8:1:17; 6:3-5; Acts 22:16; 19:1-5; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16). While we know that heaven is where we want to spend eternity, we won’t know what it’ll be like until Jesus comes back (John 14:1-6; 10:7-10; 1 John 3:1-3).

Has the light come on for you about who Jesus is and why he came to earth to give up his life (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:6-10)? Have you taken advantage of God’s plan for your salvation? If you’ll follow that plan and diligently study his word, the light will come on more brightly and you’ll be able to understand what God wants you to know in this life to prepare you for eternal life (Ephesian 3:4-12; 1 Peter 1:22-25). Be assured that Jesus’ words lead to eternal life for those who follow them (John 6:63; 15:1-11). Are you living up to what God has revealed through his word so Jesus’ light shines through you (Philippians 2:12-13; 3:10-21; 1 John 1:5-9: Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Corinthians 4:1-11)?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].