Light overcomes darkness

“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.” John 10:22-23

The feast of dedication, also known as Hanukkah, or the festival of lights, is a festival celebrated by both Jews and Christians alike. 

For the Jewish people, it’s a time to celebrate victory over the enemy - the Syrians led by Antiochus, and it was a victory over darkness. You can read more about the history of Hanukkah here… https://www.gotquestions.org/Hanukkah-Christian.html

In the Bible in John chapter 10 we see that Jesus was joined in and celebrated this festival of lights. Throughout the book of John we find references to Jesus being “the light that has come into the world.”

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world,” John 3:19a 

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9v5

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12v46

During our times of suffering we can often experiences periods of darkness. Sometimes it seems near impossible to find a way through the darkness and despair. I am sure that was the same for the Jewish people before their victory came. 

When Jesus came into the world, He came as the light that overcomes darkness. Light will always overcome darkness. Just light a candle in a dark room and the darkness is no longer. 

Jesus can help us in our darkest times, in those moments of desperation and fear when we may be plunged into darkness, but Jesus is ever present to help us out of that darkness because He is light and in Him is no darkness at all. In 1 John 1:5 we read “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

We have a spiritual enemy who wants to keep us in darkness. He will remind us of our past, he will make us feel guilty. He will tell us there’s no hope and no future. These things pull us down into a dark place. But Jesus the light of the world on the other hand says we have been forgiven, we are cleansed, there’s hope and there’s a bright future. 

In the deep, dark and sometimes depressive December month let us remember Jesus. Not just as the child in the manger as in the opening chapters of Matthew and Luke, but as the Light who has come into the world.

We all need a reminder of the good news of the light of the world. I need to be reminded of that truth. We have suffered much over the last 20 months and experienced many dark times but Jesus remains our constant light. 

Dark times come and go but Jesus’ light never fades and even in those dark times of suffering His light still shines brightly. 

If we continue to follow Jesus, we shall never walk in darkness. (John 8:12) Sometimes the circumstances of life will at times pull us down and can make us feel although we are not walking in the light. I’ve often felt like that. But we mustn’t accept that lie! Our bad experiences in this life cannot and should not affect our salvation in Jesus. 

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or neither, know today that Jesus’ light has come into this world and if you are in Him His light shines upon you, whether you are suffering or not. 

Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You that You didn’t leave us in darkness and brokenness but You came and shone a great light and overcame the darkness. In our suffering may we experience, more than ever, Your light that is able to extinguish the dark dark places in our lives. Amen.