January 16 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 39–40; Matthew 11

Darkness and Light

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

READ John 3:1–2, 16–20

As I sat in the courtroom, I witnessed several examples of the brokenness of our world: a daughter estranged from her mother; a husband and wife who’d lost the love they once had and now shared only bitterness; a husband who yearned to be reconciled with his wife and to be reunited with his children. They desperately needed changed hearts, healed wounds, and for God’s love to prevail.

Sometimes when the world around us seems to hold only darkness and despair, it’s easy to give in to despair. But then the Spirit, who lives inside believers in Christ (John 14:17), reminds us that Jesus died for that brokenness and pain. When He came into the world as a human, He brought light into the darkness (1:4–5; 8:12). We see this in His conversation with Nicodemus, who furtively came to Jesus in the cover of darkness but left impacted by the Light (3:1–2; 19:38–40).

Jesus taught Nicodemus that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (3:16).

Yet even though Jesus brought light and love into the world, many remain lost in the darkness of their sin (vv. 19–20). If we’re His followers, we have the light that dispels darkness. In gratitude, let’s pray that God will make us beacons of His love (Matthew 5:14–16).

By Alyson Kieda

When has your hope been renewed through remembering that God loves you? How can you share Christ’s light with others?

Thank You, God, for coming to save me from the darkness of sin and despair. Help me to remain in Your light.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The theme of light versus darkness is fundamental to John’s telling of the story of Jesus in John’s gospel and is also prominent in his letters. In 1 John 1:5, we’re reminded that God Himself is light—so it follows that those who put their faith in Christ are seen as “children of light” (John 12:35–36). Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe says that “the coming of Jesus Christ into the world was the dawning of a new day for sinful man” for Jesus, the Light of the World (8:12; 9:5), would conquer the powers of darkness. The problem in the arrival of this light that Jesus came to bring is humanity’s response—or lack thereof: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1:5). Nevertheless, as Jesus gave sight to a man born blind (ch. 9), He can bring light into our darkness as well.