John: The Word, Part 2

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.  There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.  John 1:4-5, 9 [NAS]

Yesterday I met for the first time with a new voice student.  She is the lead singer in a local band, and was seeking help with pitch problems:  she fairly frequently sang flat or sharp.  A recent recording of one of the band’s gigs convinced her that something had to be done about her voice.  The problem was not difficult to diagnose.  When she began to sing Amazing Grace for me, the song just sort of fell out of her mouth.  She didn’t have a “bad” voice; she actually had a rather nice vocal instrument.  The sound, however, had no

support, no energy, conviction or passion—no life!  She gave nothing of herself in her singing.  It was just “there.”

John makes the simple statement that in the Word was life – abundant, full of passion, pure, overflowing – a life so vivid, so glorious, so righteous that it became the Light of men.  The Old Testament prophets spoke repeatedly about a light that was to come:  “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” Isaiah 9:2 [KJV].  The darkness of sin had completely blanketed the earth, smothering the hope and joy of its people.  The Word came to pierce through that darkness with the true Light – His own spotless character.

Today – Thursday, December 16, 2010, the world is again wrapped in the shadows of poverty, crime, disease, famine, drought, alienation, and death. What we need more than anything is the Light of life – the radiance of hope, joy, and peace. Jesus promised, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10 [NIV]

Silent night, holy night, Son of God loves pure light;

Radiant beams from Thy holy face, 
With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.