A RAY OF HOPE
As a man who spends a lot of time outdoors, you learn to listen and observe creation as it often testifies to the glory of the Creator. One of the most awe-inspiring and joyful feelings is seeing and feeling the morning rays of the sun. After a long night of chilling cold, the battle to find comfort, or the heat from a summer night, the morning light is enough to bring joy to the spirit. A night of darkness only to be overcome by the light is always a sweet reminder that the struggle that night may bring, is only but a season. I often imagine that in death to be met by the radiance of God's glory through the Son would be the greatest transition from darkness to light. The darkness of death is overcome by the power of God.
I'm not surprised the ancient people of history felt the need to worship the creation as creation is like the fingerprints of God. The ancient people responding to the evidence of God would, unfortunately, fall into the trap of false gods and demonic worship. But as time progressed, God would begin to reveal Himself.
Mark 4:39-41 ESV
39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The disciples got a glimpse of God but could not yet fully comprehend the divinity of the man before them. “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Luke 19:40 (ESV)
40 He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
As Jesus entered Jerusalem the people sang Hosanna in recognition of Him as their Messiah, Hosanna is a cry or plea to deliver us. The disciples began to rejoice and praise God causing some of the Pharisees in the crowd to say to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples. He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Such a powerful phrase. Even if mankind were to be silent, creation would still testify to the Creator. The impossible is meaningless to the one who created all things from nothing.
Colossians 1:16 (ESV)
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.
All things were created through Him and for Him. The glory of God is found in Genesis 1:1-3,
Genesis 1:1-3
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
In verse 3, let there be light is a testament before the existence of the sun, moon, or stars that the true light would be present in His creation. A God of theism and not of deism.
John 1:1-14 ESV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people[c] did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John being a witness of the light testifies to the fact the very Word in the beginning was Jesus Himself. In Him was life, the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The light will always prevail. All who receive Him, who believe in His name, gives us the right to become children of God. Him living in us, we are reminded that we are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We are essentially light bearers and we are called to be a beacon on the hill, a candle to light the room, a glimpse of God's glory radiating through us.
In conclusion,
Hebrews 1:3 ESV
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
He (Jesus) is the radiance of God's glory,
Exact imprint of His nature,
He upholds the universe by simply His word,
After the purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
All authority, power, and judgments are in the position of the right.
Jesus is our ray of hope in both life and death. We need not be people of the darkness, but instead children of the light.
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