December 18, 2011: On Light – Jon Gettings

Light is a theme associated with Christ in the New Testament and God in general. Light denotes positive, health, what draws us, what brings life.  Light is generally held in contrast to darkness.  Darkness denotes evil, hidden, unhealth, those blind to God. This passage talks about Christ having life in him that was the light of men. Life is used after verses relaying Christ has been with God forever and was involved in creation.  

How does this God...and these elements of God...bring us light? And what does that mean that his life brings us light? If light is what is positive, healthy, what is compelling and what brings full life...then this is what our lives can and should look like as followers of Christ. Then truly his life...his being...our relationship with him would bring us all of these things...would bring us light.  The things of this world and the enemy will constantly try to move us into darkness.  This is our battle...to allow the life of Christ to be our light and not be overwhelmed by darkness.  This is why we need community, rhythms (sabbath, etc.), scripture, and why we are the light for the world as when we live in this way others are drawn to and compelled by our light which is Christ's life.