In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the Darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it. John 1.4-5

On earth, the sun makes life possible. Without it, everything would soon die. So we see the connection between light and life. In a similar way, as the light of God, Jesus brings life to man. This life is not physical, but spiritual and eternal.

Jesus as light shines in darkness. His light has the capacity of scattering the densest darkness. No person is unrecoverable. Jesus can save all. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven. NRSV translates the phrase, “of mankind,” as “of all people.” Nobody needs remain outside, excluded.

The darkness is the power of evil. It resists the light. In the spiritual realm is conflict. No one can avoid involvement in this conflict. We will either be victors or losers. Our choice between light and darkness determines if we will be victorious or if we will be vanquished.

Jesus cannot be vanquished. His light will always shine. Even when he seems to be defeated (as when he died on the cross), Jesus is always gaining the victory.

This life which arises because of the light is in him. In Christ. If we want this life, we must enter into him. This life is not found outside of Christ. We enter into Christ by immersion in water, Galatians 3.26-27. If we want eternal life, we must believe that Jesus’ commandment will lead us into Christ and to the light which brings life, Mark 16.16.

Our God, I want always to live in this life which is in Jesus!

This devotional was translated from Portuguese from my meditation on the Deus Conosco website.