August 20, 2004

THE LIGHT OF MEN

"In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1:4, NIV).

It is evident that the apostle John had a fascination with the symbolism of light. His writings abound with illuminating references to Jesus as the light of the world.

In today's portrait, the apostle beautifully portrays our Lord as the "Light of Men." Here Christ is described as the source of life and light. He is further identified as the "true light" (John 1:9, NIV) that illuminates the pathway of everyone (see Isaiah 9:1, 2). The psalmist adds, "With You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light" (Psalm 36:9, NKJV). Jesus is the original source of life-giving light. Without Him, there is no light.

When our new home was ready for occupancy, my wife and I made a last-minute inspection to ensure that everything was in order. We were greatly impressed with the appearance of the electrical fixtures. Anxious to see the effect when they were turned on, we flipped on the switch, but there was no light! After repeating the futile procedure, we discovered that the main switch had not been turned on. We had electrical fixtures, but no electricity!

All the elegant chandeliers and attractive light fixtures in a house unconnected to the power source are nothing more than ornamental gadgetry. The so-called great thinkers, sages, philosophers, wise men, and new-age gurus are all ornamental light fixtures that give no light. They can have light only as they turn on the switch of faith in Jesus, the light of men. "As the moon and stars of the solar system shine by the reflected light of the sun, so, as far as their teaching is true, do the world's great thinkers reflect the rays of the Son of Righteousness."--The Desire of Ages, p. 465.

My Prayer Today: Lord, You are the true light that lightens everyone. Illuminate my life with Your saving light. Amen.