“DARKNESS AND LIGHT”
OUR DAILY BREAD (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: John 3 (Focus vs. 1–2, 16–20)
MEMORY VERSE
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
BACKGROUND
As I sat in the courtroom, I witnessed several examples of the brokenness of our world: a daughter estranged from her mother; a husband and wife who’d lost the love they once had and now shared only bitterness; a husband who yearned to be reconciled with his wife and to be reunited with his children.
They desperately needed changed hearts, healed wounds, and for God’s love to prevail.
Sometimes when the world around us seems to hold only darkness and despair, it’s easy to give in to despair. But then the Spirit, who lives inside believers in Christ (John 14:17), reminds us that Jesus died for that brokenness and pain.
When He came into the world as a human, He brought light into the darkness (1:4–5; 8:12). We see this in His conversation with Nicodemus, who furtively came to Jesus in the cover of darkness but left impacted by the Light (3:1–2; 19:38–40).
Jesus taught Nicodemus that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (3:16).
Yet even though Jesus brought light and love into the world, many remain lost in the darkness of their sin (vv. 19–20). If we’re His followers, we have the light that dispels darkness. In gratitude, let’s pray that God will make us beacons of His love (Matthew 5:14–16).
By: Alyson Kieda
INSIGHT
The theme of light versus darkness is fundamental to John’s telling of the story of Jesus in John’s gospel and is also prominent in his letters. In 1 John 1:5, we’re reminded that God Himself is light—so it follows that those who put their faith in Christ are seen as “children of light” (John 12:35–36).
Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe says that “the coming of Jesus Christ into the world was the dawning of a new day for sinful man” for Jesus, the Light of the World (8:12; 9:5), would conquer the powers of darkness.
The problem in the arrival of this light that Jesus came to bring is humanity’s response—or lack thereof: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1:5).
Nevertheless, as Jesus gave sight to a man born blind (ch. 9), He can bring light into our darkness as well.
APPLICATION
When has your hope been renewed through remembering that God loves you? How can you share Christ’s light with others?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Although we look up at night and see the moon shine, in reality it is not giving off light on its own.
The moon shines because its surface reflects light from the sun. And despite the fact that it sometimes seems to shine very brightly, the moon reflects only between 3 and 12percent of the sunlight that hits it.” Thomas Swope
God in His manifold wisdom pegged it there. Can we imagine if the moon reflected more than the 12-15%. We are not called to be the Light but to be reflectors. Our responsibility is to keep the reflectors clean.
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“If we’re His followers, we have the light that dispels darkness.”
PRAYER
“Thank You, God, for coming to save me from the darkness of sin and despair. Help me to remain in Your light”.
*YOUR TAKE? 
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL
“LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE” Hillsong Kids
Creep creep creep
In the dark fear comes
To blow out all your lights
It doesn’t want you telling everybody that
That Jesus rules all right
Let your light shine
Let your light shine
Let Your light shine and
Let Jesus shine through you
Giant fears are really small
When all you see is God
Don’t be afraid to stand up tall
And give a great big shout
Let your light shine
Let your light shine…
Let Jesus shine through me
I’m not scared
I’m gonna let my light shine
You’re not scared
You’re gonna let your light shine
We’re not scared
We’re gonna let our light shine
Cause Jesus is Lord
And He’s gonna let His light shine
Let your light shine
Let your light shine…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
PSALMS 1-7
THE BOOK OF JUDGES CHAPTERS 1-7
*PR is always available to “discuss” with you what you read