Abide Together: Reflections on John 1

John 1 is packed with one of the biggest theological statements in all of Scripture. It’s message? Jesus is God. The Creator of the universe stepped into time and space and, taking on human flesh, would give his life for his creation. John tells us “in Him is life.” We read, however, in this passage as well as in Romans 1, that the creation rejected its creator and worship and served the creation instead. A statement that stands out to me though is what John says in verse 5- “The light shines in darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” The life that Christ gives is light to all men and darkness has not overcome it. In John’s time, people who professed Christ were being persecuted, imprisoned, and killed. The Jewish leaders of the day, along with other governing authorities, were seeking to have the light stamped out. But John gives us great encouragement–the darkness hasn’t won. And for us, 2,000 years later, it is still true- the darkness hasn’t overcome the light. Today, ISIS would seek to destroy the Christian faith and eradicate Christians from the globe. But Christ’s Church will not be overpowered by these tyrants for the gates of hell will not prevail against this Kingdom. Take comfort in knowing that whatever persecution we may face, whatever darts the enemy may hurl, we are more than conquerers and the light of life will not be overcome. 

– Jarrod Manning