In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. - John 1:4,5
The Naval Institute’s magazine carried the story of the captain of a battleship who was concerned about rough seas and fog when, suddenly, a bright light appeared on the horizon. The captain immediately had the signalman send the message, “Change course immediately!” Back came the reply “It is you who must change course!” Irritated that a battleship should give way to a lesser vessel, the captain ordered that the message be sent, “I am a battleship!” And back came the reply, “I am the lighthouse!” The captain changed course.
Long ago Jesus said simply, “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). Many an individual, cruising through life as a battleship, expecting others to get out of his way, has encountered the Light, Jesus Christ. Seeing that the vessel of their life was headed towards the rocks, they changed course and direction. Wise is the person who recognizes the message, “I am the lighthouse.”
Paul says that blindness, like a heavy fog, keeps the unregenerated person from seeing clearly who Jesus Christ really is. That darkness keeps them serving a god who can never satisfy.
The direction coming from the lighthouse always takes precedence over anything else, right? Jesus is not one of several lights. He is the Light.
Have you encountered the Light that cannot be dimmed by the darkness of the world, or even the darkness of our hearts? Have you experienced what John wrote about, saying, “In him was life, and that life was the light of man” (John 1:4).