Let there be Light
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (John 1:9-11)
Happy New Year!
In the gospels, the story of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ is told by Matthew and Luke; Mark says almost nothing, while John is philosophical and complex on the subject. As we thank God for taking us through 2020 and through prayer dedicate to Him this new year 2021, we continue to ask the question: But why did Jesus come into the world? Reading from Luke’s story, we have been reminded that baby Jesus was circumcised on the eight day, and what this means to us today. True circumcision means cutting off sin from the heart and living as one reconciled to God. In John’s prologue, the reason for Jesus’ coming down was to shine light and scatter darkness from all God’s people.
In the beginning, the very first thing God said in the creation story was, ‘Let there be light’; and when God finished creating, everything was in perfect harmony: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen 1:31). There was no need for Police or Defense Forces – this ministry only appeared in Genesis at the end of third chapter, after the fall. Indeed, the fall brought about breaking of sweet fellowship, introduced darkness around God’s people and disturbed the light God had ushered in. John takes us back to that beginning and relates Jesus Christ with the Word of God – the agent of creation. In Jesus’ being born on earth, ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us’ (John 1:14). It was another loud statement from God: ‘LET THERE BE LIGHT’.
Let us give thanks to God for the great things He has done; as we look back, there are numerous reasons to give thanks to God for. But more so, let us give thanks to God for the light He has shone on us in Jesus Christ. This way, it is possible to be reconciled to God. In John’s words, those who received, welcomed and believed in Jesus Christ were given the authority, power, privilege and right to become children of God. This is the place of perfect fellowship that God intended in the beginning. Are you in this place? We need God’s light in our hearts. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation… So, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ's representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to: Be reconciled to God. (2Cor 5:17,20)
We need God’s light in our nation and institutions as well. Uganda is in need of concerted prayer and action as a cloud of darkness hovers over us in this season of elections. God said, and let us call upon him in these words: Let there be Light.
God bless you all.