Theres a Light… there is Hope
Watch: Scripture Video John 1:1-5
I love that phrase, “The light shining into the darkness; and the darkness could not over come it.” That “light” is Jesus who came into our dark world on Christmas some 2000 years ago. And I want you to remember that phrase, “The light shining into the darkness; and the darkness could not over come it” because this Christmas despite the “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and the “Joy to the World”; I know for many it can be a very dark season.
We are starting a new series today. It’s the kind of series that will take us on several adventures. This Christmas, we don’t want it just to be an advent season, but a season of ADVENTure.
JESUS IS THE LIGHT
I know there are so many of you that need to take an advent(ure) this Christmas:
from a place of despair to a real hope!
It was a guy named John, who knew Jesus better than almost anyone on earth says about Jesus, “4…He is the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not over come it.” What you might miss, but was clear to the first readers of John’s gospel is that John is clearly saying that Jesus is God! He is intentionally using the same language as the prophet Isaiah who prophesied, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)
He is saying that Jesus is God! And he is the light for all of us who are walking in darkness. So, what does it mean for Jesus to be our “light”?
1. LIGHT OFFERS DIRECTION
In Jesus day, when it got dark at night it was dark. Real dark. Pitch black dark. There were no streetlights, no city lights, no flashing headlights – just darkness. So, once it got dark you didn’t go anywhere because unless it was the light of the moon, you couldn’t see anything. But the light of a lantern or the light of a torch were the only sources that could provide enough light to give direction in the darkness. A light can give us direction.
For many of us, we can relate to all or parts of Hannah’s story: the worry, the despair. Feeling lost.
Jesus is the light in the middle of all that darkness that can give you guidance and direction. In much the same way that the light from the Christmas star shone brighter than all the rest and guided those first wisemen; if you will let him, Jesus through the power of His Spirit will guide you and direct you during the darkest times of your life. He can give you wisdom. He can give you guidance. Jesus is a light that will direct you in your darkest of times!
2. LIGHT OFFERS PROTECTION
The dessert wilderness of Israel was a tough and not very hospitable place. During the day the heat would parch your throat and boil your skin. And at night the darkness was cold and could be equally dangerous. The darkness brought with it the dangers of thieves and wild animals who would keep their distance during the day, but not at night. So the light of a fire would provide warmth and protection from thieves and wild predators.
When we go through seasons of anxiety n despair and we feel like we are not worthy or we have to hide who we really are – we are vulnerable to predators. We are vulnerable to predatory people who will take advantage of us. We are vulnerable to the predator of bad choices that seem so right. What the light of Jesus and his people will do is protect us! When we go through the valley of the shadow death we know he is with us. Jesus promised, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” His light will protect you!
3. LIGHT OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT
When John wrote these words about Jesus, He is the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not over come it.” Perhaps the most common image of light was the light of a fire and in particular kind of a campfire. And a campfire was a safe place, not just for one, bur for all to come and gather. In the middle of a cold, dark, directionless and dangerous night – a fire would become a place where people would gather and find other people. Other people just like them. Community.
That was what Jesus had in mind with the church. That we would be a place as it describes in 1 Corinthians 2:3,4 which says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” We gather and encourage and comfort one another.
Just a week or so ago I sat up in my daughter Allisons room (she's been diagnosed with Bi-Sacroiliitis and bed-ridden due to extreme pain) and read to her this very passage of scripture… encouraging her with the Word of God - that believe it or not the difficulties we face in life, as hard as they are in the moment or weeks or months or years that somewhere down the road the Lord will use your hardship you endured to encourage others.
The Light brings encouragement
I guess that is what Jesus meant when he said, “You are the light of the world!” When the light of Jesus comes to live inside of us; not only is he the light, but together we become the light! “A light that shines in the darkness; and the darkness will not overcome it!
This is an adventurous season. May we all see the light and the hope that it offers… then grab a hold of what God has in store for us personally in our lives
Its a purpose-filled life that God wants for everyone who chooses to follow Christ. The adventurous life of following Jesus is not reserved for “saints” and “super Christians”; it’s a way that life can be lived with God’s help by anyone who opens themselves to it.
And it will be an adventure!
watch video of entire message: There is a Light....there is HOPE
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