Behold the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in the everyday occurrence of the sunset and the sunrise. Take in a magnificent sunset, painted with the colors of His suffering. Amidst the hues of blood and bruising is a beauty yet that never ceases to capture the attention of something deep within us. In the sufferings of our Lord, in the beatings that the Lord endured on our behalf, in the crimson tide of His blood, and ultimately in the setting of His life into death, we find the beautiful gift of salvation. We discover the beauty of mercy, love and grace. His death for our life. And that forever life will begin when we are resurrected just like our Lord did with an incorruptible body. Meditate on the Lord's resurrection each morning as the sun rises. For the believer, day does not turn into night. But night will turn into day. Genesis tells us that there was an evening and a day, the first day (see Genesis 1:5). We are in the Light forevermore.
Genesis 1 is usually a chapter that all believers have read. It is, after all, the first chapter of the entire Bible. Sunday School children are well-versed in God's creation. Unbelievers of Christ, even, are well aware of God's beginning work. And so, it is oftentimes that we allow the familiarity of something to rob us of a deeper truth. With Scripture, this is always the case. No matter how much revelation the Holy Spirit reveals to us, there is always a deeper truth available with our Infinite God. This is the attraction of the Bible that nothing else in this world can offer. Praise the Lord!
For me, Genesis 1 was such a case. I had read Genesis 1 countless number of times and when I did, I usually breezed through it pretty quickly. It wasn't until fairly recently that the Holy Spirit brought to my attention something that I didn't realize before. Let's read through a few verses from Genesis 1.
1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and He affirmed and sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness. 5 And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. (AMP)
I want to specifically focus on God calling forth light. Until this revelation, I had always assumed with the simplicity of my childhood imagination that when God called forth light, He was calling forth the sun. However, as I read on in Genesis, I saw that the sun and the moon were not created until the fourth day!
14 Then God said, “Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years; 15 and let them be useful as lights in the expanse of the heavens to provide light on the earth”; and it was so, [just as He commanded]. 16 God made the two great lights—the greater light (the sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night; He made the [galaxies of] stars also [that is, all the amazing wonders in the heavens]. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to provide light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good and He affirmed and sustained it. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. (AMP)
God's Word tells us that the sun is not the source of light. God's Word tells us that the moon is not the source of light. God's Word tells us that electricity nor fire is the source of light. Light was pre-existing before the sun and the moon were even created. Light pre-existed anything and everything. The Amplified version furthers this truth by calling the sun, moon and stars as "light-bearers". This means that the light originates from a different source and the sun, the moon, and the stars simply "bear" the light. So this brings us to the important question. What is the true source of light?
We can answer this by rephrasing the question to instead ask, "Who is the true Source of light?" It is, of course, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let's let the Word confirm this.
12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12, AMP)
Blessed words plain and straight from the blessed mouth of our blessed Lord and Savior! Let's stay in the book of John and let's take a look at how John opens.
1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]. (John 1:1-5, AMP)
Our Lord Jesus, the Light of the world, continually existed from the beginning. However, it was only when our Lord Jesus was called forth and revealed that everything else was "made and came into existence."
In a world that is getting darker and darker, it is Jesus that we truly need. I don't say this from a religious stance. I don't mean it is more laws that we need. It is not more preaching on what is wrong with us that will set us free. It is not more condemnation that will truly transform a life. It is the Light of life that we need! Let's read John 8 again, where Jesus reveals Himself to be the Light of the world, in its full context.
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came back into the temple [court], and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began teaching them. 3 Now the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the center of the court, 4 and they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?” 6 They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. 7 However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground. 9 They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.”] 12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:1-12, AMP)
Notice how this account begins early in the morning. The sun had risen and the natural light of the sun was shining. Yet, this woman was surrounded by darkness. She was surrounded by death. She had no way of escape. Who were the ones that brought this darkness upon her? The Bible tells us that the "Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery." The religious leaders of the day who took the position of representing God to the people were the ones in fact that had the stones in their hands, and more importantly, in their hearts. Armed with the law of Moses, they had yet another opportunity to condemn. With the law of Moses, they had the power to turn the day into night for this woman. They brought the darkness of Mount Sinai, where the law of Moses was given, unto this woman.
However, just as in the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, Light appeared. Our Lord Jesus says to the Pharisees, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." As the account goes on to reveal, each of them left one by one until the woman was left alone with our Lord. Darkness fled when our Lord spoke. Just as in the beginning. It was here where the Lord revealed Himself as the Light of the world. Amazing Lord!
18 For you have not come [as did the Israelites in the wilderness] to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to gloom and darkness and a raging windstorm, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and a sound of words [such that] those who heard it begged that nothing more be said to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a wild animal touches the mountain, it will be stoned [to death].” 21 In fact, so terrifying was the sight, that Moses said, “I am filled with fear and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering], 23 and to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringing them to their final glory], 24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant [uniting God and man], and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance]. (Hebrews 12:18-24, AMP)
I love the account of the woman caught in adultery because this is the story of all of us. This account reveals to us that our God is not represented by a cold set of religious laws. It reveals to us that our God is a God Who has a tender heart burning with mercy and love. The religious Pharisees condemned the woman with the Law of Moses. But our Lord's words are not words of condemnation. Our Lord says, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." Sinning no more can only occur when the Light of His love shines on us. Our focus should not be on sin itself. Sin is simply the result of wandering in darkness. Our focus should be on beholding our Lord and allowing the Light of His love, mercy and grace to flood our hearts. Only then will darkness flee and sin will cease. Amazing truth!
Later on in the earthly life of our Lord, we find the Light of the world nailed to a cross at Golgotha. Our Lord was crucified at 9 in the morning and He hung between heaven and earth for six hours on behalf of our sins. At midday, the Bible tells us that "there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour [3 p.m.]. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two." (see Luke 23:44-45) When the True Light went out, even the sun failed to produce any light. Contrast that with our Lord's birth when "the glory of the Lord flashed and shone" (see Luke 2:8-9) at night. God, true to His pattern, sent the Savior into the world and to Israel in a time of darkness. Praise the Lord!
Whatever situation of darkness you may be in, know and understand that God's way of doing things never changes. Hebrews 13:8 records, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Just as in the beginning, when darkness covered the earth, He called forth Light. If any situation of darkness is present in your life, know without a doubt that the Lord will enter your darkness. He will enter with love, compassion and saving power. He will bring life with Him! Just as He brought the woman caught in adultery from death into light, He will bring you out of your darkness into His marvelous light!
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9, AMPC)
If you have not placed your trust in our Savior, my prayer is that you do so today. Our Lord is a God of now. He is the I AM. Romans 10:9 says the following.
9 because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Salvation is a gift to be received. Not a work to be achieved. The work has already been finished by Another on the cross at Calvary. Cast away all religious beliefs and laws and simply allow the Light of life to enter into your heart.
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