You are the Light
Light in the Night!
Terry R. Baughman

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV).

The theme of light is seen frequently in the Gospel of John. From the witness of the messenger who prepared the way for Jesus to His bold self-revealing “I AM” statements, the mission and deity of Jesus was proclaimed. The Apostle introduced John, the baptizer, as the witness of the light that was coming into the world. Jesus confirmed that mission when He said, “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light” (John 5:35 NIV). However, the light was greater than John. 

Among numerous other “I AM” statements in the Gospel, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV). From the beginning, the Apostle John established that John the Baptist wasn’t the source of light, but testified of its coming. He wrote, “He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:8-9 NIV). John was very careful to reserve the identity of the light to be the one and only Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jesus revealed Himself to be the light of the world, but only as long as He was present with them. Jesus said, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5 NIV). He indicated that a change was coming when darkness would come upon the world, and it would seem that the light had been extinguished. However, John also gave us the assurance that the darkness could not quench the light. He said, “This Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome!” (John 1:5 TPT).

In the Sermon on the Mount, another facet of Jesus’ purpose was revealed. Jesus taught, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14 NIV). Followers of Christ were expected to become bearers of the light. They would further reflect the light of Christ to the world that others might see and believe. Not only was John the baptizer a witness of the light, we also are to declare the light of the world!

Jesus revealed a progression from “I AM” to “You are.” Yes, He is the eternal I AM, but He has also shared His mission with every believer when He stated, “You are ….” Paul wrote, “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV). We are not the light, but the reflected image of the glory of God through Jesus Christ. 

We are to be a city on a hill, a lamp placed in a prominent location, to show the light of the Gospel in a darkened world. We should not take our lamp and hide it in an obscure place. Jesus taught, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15 NIV). Paul warned, “If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:3 NIV). May we receive the light and shine it in this generation, “You are the light of the world!”  
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Theme passage:
“A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).

One Holy Night
Light in the Night!
Terry R. Baughman

“While he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, 'God with us’” (Matthew 1:20-23 NKJ).

After centuries without the voice of a prophet or visiting angels, several unusual events began to take place. First, an aging couple who had never had children were promised a special son. They were instructed by an angel to name him John. As a sign of the authority of the angel to deliver this message, Zechariah was unable to speak until the day his son was born and was named. He wrote on a tablet, “His name is John,” and he immediately began talking and praising God (Luke 1:63 NIV). 

While Elisabeth was pregnant with John, her young niece Mary was visited by the same angel. Gabriel appeared to her, bringing great news from the presence of God. She was highly favored and had been chosen to give birth to the coming Messiah. Since she was a virgin preparing for marriage, she did not know how this would happen. The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35 NIV). This was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, “A virgin will be pregnant, she will give birth to a Son, and he will be known as ‘Emmanuel,’ which means in Hebrew, ‘God became one of us’” (Matthew 1:23 TPT).

Joseph, engaged to be the husband of Mary, sure needed a miracle as well to help him understand what was happening to his plans for marriage. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21 NIV). Everything about these events were miraculous.

That wasn’t the last miracle or the last visitation of an angel. Shepherds were addressed by an angel, then witnessed a heavenly host to announce the arrival of the Christ Child. Magi were led from distant lands by a guiding star, and warned by an angel to return home a different way. Angels warned the young parents to flee to Egypt to escape the wrath of the king, and were directed when they should return. All of humanity would be affected by the events that unfolded in the months surrounding the birth of Jesus on that one holy night!

History is charted on the advent of the life of Jesus. The most common numbering of years is BC (Before Christ) or AD (in the year of our Lord) from the Latin Anno Domini. One night in Bethlehem altered the course of history and has given hope for the future. God is still speaking and His Good News is proclaimed around the world. This is the season of optimism, hope, and joy! He came to change everything … one holy night!
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Theme passage:
“A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).

One Bright Star
Light in the Night!
Terry R. Baughman

“Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” … And behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” (Matthew 2:1–2; 9–10 NKJ).

Another miracle surrounding the Nativity was the appearance of wisemen, or Magi, from the East. Though they have been referred to as kings, they were more likely astrologers or priests who studied the stars and ancient prophecies for some sign in the heavens. When they saw an unusual, unidentified star or comet in the skies, they concluded that it was the announcement of a great leader that was foretold in ancient prophecy. They immediately made plans to follow the path of the star’s passing. The Magi traveled toward Jerusalem, assuming such an important leader would be known in the capital city. 

King Herod received the guests from the East and was curious to know more of their story, but more concerned that a rival king had been born in his territory that could pose a threat to his reign. He called for the Chief Priests and teachers of the Law to inquire of them where the Messiah was to be born. Knowing the Scripture, they immediately responded, “In Bethlehem in Judea, … for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel’” (Matthew 2:5–6 NIV, quoting Micah 5:2).

Herod continued to ask about the time of the appearance of the star, hoping to learn more about this child that had been born. He asked under the pretext of a desire to also worship Him. It is later revealed that the evil intent in his heart was to destroy the child. 

After leaving King Herod, while on the road to Bethlehem, the Magi again saw the star appear that they had seen in their home country. According to Matthew, “On their way to Bethlehem, the same star they had seen in the East suddenly reappeared! Amazed, they watched as it went ahead of them and stopped directly over the place where the child was. And when they saw the star, they were so ecstatic that they shouted and celebrated with unrestrained joy” (Matthew 2:9–10 TPT). 

This bright star drew them to Bethlehem, “until it stopped over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:9 NIV). They rejoiced in the divine guidance that directed their journey and they celebrated the birth of the child by delivering their treasure, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 
One bright star pointed the way to the Bright Morning Star! The shining light guided the seekers to The Light of the World! In John’s prophecy, Jesus was revealed as, “the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16 NIV). As the Bright Morning Star, the coming of Jesus signals the end of darkness and the dawn of a brand new day. Jesus is the Light of the world! We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him!
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Theme passage:
“A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).

A Piercing Light
Light in the Night!
Terry R. Baughman

“For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, when the Morning Star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 TPT).

The Word is like a piercing light shining in the darkness, awaiting the dawn of truth and understanding. John, the Apostle, declared that the eternal, light-bearing, Word of God was given to mankind to bring life to a world of darkness and death. He prefaced his Gospel with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NKJ). John revealed, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory” (John 1:14 NKJ). 

Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem with a divine destiny, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9 NIV). John wrote, “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness” (John 1:4-5 TPT). 

The prophets predicted that Messiah would come to bring light. It would be fulfilled in His appearance and His message. Matthew quoted the prophet Isaiah who proclaimed, “You who spend your days shrouded in darkness can now say, ‘We have seen a brilliant Light.’ And those who live in the dark shadow land of death can now say, ‘The Dawning Light arises on us’” (Matthew 4:7 TPT). Jesus was the very revelation of God in a dark world. 

Peter, James, and John retreated to the mountain for some time alone. It was in this solitary place they saw Jesus transfigured before them, “Jesus’ appearance was dramatically altered. A radiant light as bright as the sun poured from his face. And his clothing became luminescent—dazzling like lightning” (Matthew 17:2 TPT). There was no doubt that Jesus was the Christ, the anointed of God! 

Peter referenced this event as he confirmed the words of the prophets. He wrote, “We have been given the prophetic word—the written message of the prophets, made more reliable and fully validated by the confirming voice of God on the Mount of Transfiguration.” He continued to illustrate the power of this sure word of prophecy and declared, “For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, when the Morning Star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 TPT). 

This light was celebrated in the Psalms. David rejoiced in the revelation, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV) Again, David sang, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9 NIV). This revelation began before the foundation of the world, but was progressively revealed, first through the prophets, and then in His incarnation, but ultimately in the consummation of all things, the Revelation of Jesus Christ! John wrote of that heavenly city to come and noted, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23 NIV). This luminescent Lamb was the same Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world, and was also the resurrected Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (See Revelation 13:8, and John 1:29.)

His piercing light of revelation continues to shine in the gloomy places as we wait for the dawning of a new day, when we will see the Lamb, face to face!
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Theme passage:
“A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).

Darkness cannot Overcome
Light in the Night!
Terry R. Baughman

“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4-5 NLT).

From the first act of Creation, God spoke light into existence and divided the light from the darkness. From that moment there has never been a mixing of the two. Light appears, and darkness is dispelled. Darkness cannot remain where light shines. The Scripture began, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3 NKJ).

Into the world of darkness, and a formless, emptiness, God began speaking. John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … All things were made through Him” (John 1:1, 3 NKJ). Light was priority. It was the first thing God spoke into the world. He said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3 NKJ). The sun, moon, and the stars all made their appearance on day four. Before they were created to shine or to reflect light, God made the very essence of light!  

The original light was the natural light that is displayed in the heavenly bodies. In the Gospel of John we are introduced to another light, the light that came into the world to bring life, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4 NKJ). This was the spiritual light that Jesus brought into the world. No wonder the shepherds were astonished when, “An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9 NKJ). It was a bright star that drew the wisemen from the far East, seeking the One who bore the light. It was Jesus who said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12 NKJ).

There is no diminishing of the light, regardless of the intensity of the darkness. The darkness cannot understand the light, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5 NKJ). The New Life Version stated, “The darkness has never been able to put out the Light,” and the New Century Version said, “The darkness has not overpowered it,” while the New Living Translation declared, “The darkness can never extinguish it.” The Message, called it the Life-Light and explained, “Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out” (John 1:3-5 The Message).

    Several translations used the phrase, “The darkness has not overcome it.” Darkness is defeated by the Light of Life that Jesus brought into the world. As dark and ominous as the world seems, with the prevalence of evil and wickedness in every corner of the globe, the light still shines. The dark is powerless to prevail against the light which Christ has brought into the world. Through the light of God’s truth and righteousness, evil will be overcome, defeated, and destroyed. Ultimately, death itself will be destroyed. Jesus will bring an end to death and the Light of Life will prevail, “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He has put all things under His feet’”  (1 Corinthians 15:26-27 NKJ).

Theme passage:
“A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).