This is part of a year-long series. Learn more about this series here.

John 12:46 | A Strong Contrast

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.“

I wrote a brief reflection on the light of Christ in a dark world for Christmas, and that idea was still fresh in my mind when I read John 12:46 today. I took time to pause, reflect, and meditate on this imagery, and I want to extend an invitation for you to do the same.

Below are some of the things that came to my mind through this process.

John 1:4-5

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

The life within Christ is the light of man. The light is unaffected by the darkness it permeates.

The light shines; it is visible; it is seen. The light is distinct from the darkness.

John 2:23-25

“for he himself knew what was in man”

Jesus knew the depths of wickedness within the heart of man. He knew what He was up against; He knew why man needed to be saved.

John 12:46

The light of Jesus is the strongest of contrasts to the darkness of man and his world.

Belief in Jesus extracts us from the darkness.