THE EFFECT OF THE LIGHT
John 1:4-8
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5
The fact that God is light sets up a natural contrast with darkness. Whereas light is a metaphor for righteousness and goodness, darkness signifies evil and sin. 1 John 1:6 says that “if we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Verse 5b says, “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” Note that the scripture did not say ‘God is a light’ but that ‘God is light.’ Light is His essence and an indispensable quality. The message is that God is completely, unreservedly, and absolutely holy with no mix of sin, no taint of iniquity, and no hint of injustice.
If we do not have light, we do not know God. Those who know God, who walk with Him, are of the light and walk in the light. They are made partakers of God’s divine nature. God is light, and so is His Son. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He 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). We can infer from this verse that as a child of God, you are meant to grow in holiness and to mature in faith as you follow Jesus (see 2 Peter 3:18). Just like the illuminated objects of the world like the moon, which receives light from the sun and reflects it, we are Christ’s illuminated objects whose lifestyle, character, personality, etc. should reflect Christ. And through whom Christ should be glorified. How much of God’s light do you reflect in this dark world?
Prayer
Help me, Lord, to acknowledge any areas of darkness inside me so that Your light may shine in and through me. Amen.
RECIPIENTS OF HIS GRACE
John 1:12-18
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace John 1:16
The coming of Jesus provided redemption for the human race that was kidnapped by the devil. Before Jesus came, God temporarily related to humanity through the Law given to Moses. It is safe to say that the Law was God’s best for unregenerate man and it was just a stop-gap measure until the time of the manifestation of Christ (Gal 4:4). Humanity had a nature problem so Jesus had to offer His life as an alternative to natural human life. His life was and still is the game-changer in fellowshipping with God.
Faith in Jesus is the only pathway to becoming a child of God. This status cannot be got by associating with good people, by a natural desire or will, or be attained by birth (being born by Christian parents). It is only available to anyone who depends solely on the finished work of Christ on the cross and the merits of His person. We can receive grace today because of the grace of Christ. We can live life as God intended because of the life of Christ. We can experience true love because of His love that was poured out immeasurably for us. Grace is Jesus giving His life for your sake. Grace is enjoying the benefits of God on the merits of Jesus. You can draw from the fullness of His grace and drink from the fountains of His salvation today.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I come as a recipient of Your grace today and receive the help that only You can provide. Amen
THE WEDDING AT CANA
John 2:1-11
This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. John 2:11
Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana underlines the resemblance between the vows spouses make to each other and God’s covenant with us. In the Old Testament was the binding contract between God and the Israelites. God pledged that He will be their God and they will be His people. He delivered them from slavery and guided them through the desert into the Promised Land. In return, His people were to obey the commandments, which defined the people’s relationship with God and with one another.
In the Gospels, Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana emphasized both the personal and communal nature of the New Covenant. His turning water into wine so the celebration could continue demonstrates the New Covenant of service. Again, the transformation of water into wine at the wedding is the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John. When Jesus turned water into wine, He did something that no one else could do. The people who saw what Jesus did began to believe in Him. Even if they were unaware of who He was, they were beneficiaries of the miracle. How much more you who is well aware of His capability? You are in a better place to experience outstanding miracles. Jesus wants you to believe in Him, trust Him, and ask for His help.
Prayer
Lord, I believe in You. I’m aware of what You can do for me. Thank You Lord. Amen.
NEHEMIAH’S STRATEGIES 1
Nehemiah 2:1-10
Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 2:4
Nehemiah was such a leader that understood the need for good strategies in executing plans. Nehemiah understood priority. From yesterday’s meditation, we saw that prayer was at the top of his strategies. In the place of prayer, we receive divine visions and directions. Strategies to be employed in the service of the Lord must emanate from the place of prayer. Zeal must follow divine knowledge and direction. Nehemiah understood timing. It is noteworthy that Nehemiah did not approach the king about the matter until four months. Firstly, he understood the essence of timing. Arguably, he spent those four months praying to God and getting instructions on what to do. Having good intentions and great ideas is not enough, an understanding of time is crucial for our projects to be successful. It is a blessing to do the right thing at the right time. Nehemiah waited on God to tell him the right time to make a move.
Again, Nehemiah understood authority and hierarchy. Many times, we fail not because our plans aren’t good but because we don’t understand authority and hierarchy. Nehemiah sought the favour of the King of kings in order to get the attention of the king in the palace. He knew that it is only the King in heaven that can sanction the king on earth to comply. Physically, he sought the blessings and permission of the king because he knew that the King had the power to command the governors in the region. If you break protocol and ranking, people may feel slighted and your work may be delayed.
Prayer
Lord, grant me wisdom and divine strategies to execute my work. Amen.
NEHEMIAH’S STRATEGIES 2
Nehemiah 2:11-20
And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work. Nehemiah 2:18
Today we continue our quest to derive some lessons from the strategies employed by Nehemiah. Nehemiah understood assessment and survey. When he got into the land, he first went to survey the place to see things for himself and understand the state of affairs. Leaders must assess the state of things and make the effort to get firsthand information where and when possible. Sometimes, things may not be exactly as people make them seem.
Nehemiah understood the stakes and stakeholders. He spoke to the people and understood that their reputation and sense of national pride were at stake. He spoke about the problem and the consequence of not addressing it. The people on ground were the stakeholders who will join him in the work. It was his duty to stir their hearts and cause them to rise to the challenge. He did this perfectly because the people said, “Let us rise up and build” and they set their hands to the good work. Selling the vision is as important as having the vision. Leaders should not take for granted that people will automatically buy into a good vision. Show people their importance in the vision and how it benefits them.
Prayer
Lord, make us wise leaders and loyal followers. Amen.
THE WORD WAS GOD
John 1:1-9
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
John 1:1 begins John’s eyewitness and Holy Spirit-inspired account of Christ’s life. “In the beginning” is a deliberate reflection of Genesis 1:1 which links God’s action on behalf of the world through Jesus Christ with His first work; the creation of the world. God is omnipotent and sovereign; these two characteristics were addressed in John 1:1. The Word; Jesus Christ was before all things. He is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with His people. The law within us, written on our hearts, is the Word of God which is Jesus Christ. He holds all things together. By Him, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us from salvation, we interpret God’s law.
The phrase ‘word of God’ appears often in the Bible and can have a slightly different meaning depending on context and the Hebrew or Greek word used. John 1:1-2 states that “In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” ‘The Word’ here is the Lord Jesus. The term translated as “Word” is logos, which means “the expression of a thought.” Logos can be thought of as the total message of God to man (Acts 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Jesus embodied that total message, and that is why He is called the ‘Logos,’ or ‘Word,’ of God (Colossians 1:19; 2:9). The God we serve existed before the beginning of time. The same God who spoke all things into existence in Genesis chapter 1 is the same word spoken about in John. The good news is, when this word dwells richly in your heart, He influences your decisions, turns your life around for good, and gives you the opportunity to reflect Him to others.
Prayer
Dear Lord, May Your Word dwell in me fully so that your Gospel may shine throughout the globe. Amen.
GOD THE SON REVEALED TO MAN
John 1:1-10
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Jesus is referred to as the ‘Son of Man’ eighty-eight times in the New Testament. This is the primary title Jesus used when He referred to Himself (Matthew 12:32; 13:37; Luke 12:8; and John 1:51). The only use of Son of Man in a clear reference to Jesus, spoken by someone other than Jesus, came from the lips of Stephen while he was being killed (Acts 7:56). Jesus; the second Person of the Trinity, left heaven’s glory and took on human flesh, becoming the Son of Man.
Jesus is the supreme example of all that God intended mankind to be. As we read in our memory verse today, He is the embodiment of truth and grace. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9 NIV). For this reason, the Son of Man can forgive sins (Matthew 9:6). The son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28). The Son of Man came to save lives (Luke 9:56; 19:10), rose from the dead (Mark 9:9), and execute judgment (John 5:27). Jesus was fully God (John 1:1), but He was also fully human (John 1:14). The revelation of Jesus as the Son of Man is the reason we are saved. Hallelujah!
Prayer
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