Light Has Come
Scripture Reading — John 3:16-21
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him . . . This is the verdict: Light has come into the world. . .
A message on a rancher’s barn by the highway said, “Jesus Is the Answer!” I wondered, “But do we know the question?”
Even if people hear the words “Jesus is the Savior,” do they know what we need to be saved from? Or why it matters?
The apostle John wrote, “The true light that gives light to everyone . . . was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him” (John 1:9-10).
The need for Jesus as the answer to our problem of sin and death may not seem obvious. We have to recognize our miserable condition. People who bring God’s Word to others have to explain what our sin is and why it’s a problem. As the Canons of Dort say, “In order that people may be brought to faith, God mercifully sends messengers of this very joyful message to the people and at the time he wills. By this ministry people are called to repentance and faith in Christ,” who gave his own perfect life to pay the debt for all our sin.
God still sends messengers to explain why we need salvation and how Jesus alone made it possible for us to be saved. The gift of salvation is for all who believe and recognize Jesus as the Savior, the true light of the world. His light helps us see plainly that we have sinned and we are stuck in sin. And he provides the only way out. Is he lighting your way today?
Jesus, thank you for coming to save us from sin and death. Light our way and help us to shine your light for others. Amen.
About the author — George Vink
Pastor George Vink has served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 30 years in British Columbia, Montana, Michigan, and California. He and his wife, Shirley, have four married sons and nine grandchildren.
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