OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: John 1 (Focus v. 4–9)
MEMORY VERSE
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:4
BACKGROUND
To capture the beauty of reflective light in his landscape oil paintings, artist Armand Cabrera works with a key artistic principle: “Reflected light is never as strong as its source light.”
He observes that novice painters tend to exaggerate reflected light. He says, “Reflected light belongs to the shadow and as such it must support, not compete with the lighted areas of your painting.”
We hear similar insight in the Bible concerning Jesus as “the light of all mankind” (John 1:4). John the Baptist “came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe” (v. 7).
The gospel writer tells us, “He himself [John] was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light” (v. 8).
As with John, we’re chosen by God to reflect Christ’s light to those living in the shadows of an unbelieving world. This is our role, as one source says, “perhaps because unbelievers are not able to bear the full blazing glory of His light firsthand.”
Cabrera teaches his art students that “anything that has direct light falling on it in a scene becomes a source of light itself.” Similarly, with Jesus as “the true light that gives light to everyone” (v. 9), we can shine as witnesses.
As we reflect Him, may the world be amazed to see His glory shine through us.
By: Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
John 1:1–4 describes Jesus as God’s Word—the source of life and light for all humanity. Both life and light in Jewish tradition would’ve been associated with God’s revelation in Scripture.
In Deuteronomy, for example, the Israelites were told that through obedience to God’s law they could “live and increase” (30:16). In Psalm 119:105, Scripture is described as a “lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Light was also understood as a symbol for holiness—being separated from the world and devoted to God’s purposes. Isaiah says Israel was called to be “a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness” (42:6–7).
In describing Jesus as life and light, John teaches us that He’s God’s fullest revelation, the ultimate source of hope for all people.
By: Monica La Rose
APPLICATION
How do you reflect the light of Christ? In what shadowy areas of the world can you shine His transforming light?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shinning, they just shine.”
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…As we reflect Christ, may the world be amazed to see His glory shine through us.”
PRAYER
“Shine on me, beautiful Light of God. Please help me to shine Your light in the shadows of an unbelieving world.”
C
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“SHINE THROUGH ME” Carman
Lord I stand before a world that’s dying
Under Satan’s sinful control
His hands are at our country’s throat
Trying to destroy each note
Of the songs of love the Scriptures wrote
Lord I really wanna be your witness
To see set free those, captive to sin
Though I have the gift of prophecy
And understand all mysteries
Without Your love my light is dim,
My light is dim
Let the light of Your word
Light my pathway
Let the love of Jesus flow through me
It’s the love of God that draws
The wayward children back to Calvary
They’re in my heart, they’re all I see
They’re like kidnapped royalty
But I can win them
If Your love will shine through me
Lord help me not to demean
Or judge them
But birth in me a burden for their souls
Were it not for grace and Calvary
This hurting child could be me
How will they know unless they’re told,
Unless they’re told
Let the light of Your word
Light my pathway
Let the love of Jesus flow through me
It’s the love of God that draws
The wayward children back to Calvary
They’re in my heart, they’re all I see
They’re like kidnapped royalty
But I can win them
If Your love will shine through me
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
Leviticus 19-20
Matthew 27:51-66