Together in Christ: 'This Word Shines through the Darkness!' — John 1:1, 4-5

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

. . .

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

— John 1:1, 4-5 NLT

Key Thought

God's eternal relationship as Father, Son, and Spirit brought us the incarnation of God in human flesh through Jesus, God's ultimate message, "the Word"! [1] The power of this light-giving and life-giving Word cannot be extinguished, though hell has tried. [2] Darkness cannot overpower God's true Light [3] that shines to bring hope and joy to all of our lives and to deepen the meaning of our relationships. As we open our hearts to Jesus, He directs us to share His light with others. He said it this way:

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." [4]

Shining our light is not only part of our relationship with others, but it also reflects our relationship with God!

[1] See the first set of our "Related Scripture Readings" below.
[2] Immediately after the successful temptation in the Garden of Eden, God said a descendant of Adam and Eve would crush the serpent, i.e., Satan (Genesis 3:1-15 NIV). That divine victory over death, which is associated with Satan throughout the New Testament, came in Jesus' resurrection (Hebrews 2:14). Now, Christians can have that victory over Satan in our lives (Romans 5:17, 6:1-7). For example, Revelation 12:1-17, John shares a vision of this war, which ends with Jesus in triumph with His faithful disciples sharing in His victory and living in the presence of His light in Revelation 21:1-4, 22-26.
[3] Jesus is that true Light — John 1:9; 1 John 2:8.
[4] Matthew 5:14-16 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for Jesus, our Light of life [A] that cannot be stopped from shining your love and grace into our lives. I commit to being one of Your lights that shines in our dark world [B] to help others find their way to Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

[A] John 1:4, 8:12; 1 John 2:8; and 2 Timothy 1:10.
[B] Philippians 2:15.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3
  • Revelation 21:1-26

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Illustration

Illustration of John 1:1, 4-5 NLT — In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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