Darkness seemed to win

This morning I preached from John 1:1-5.  Verse 5 says:

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

It is believed that John wrote these words about 85 years after Jesus had lived.  John spent several years with Jesus as his disciple, and many years later he remains convinced of what he saw, writing powerfully the Good News of Jesus from his own particular place as an eyewitness.  John watched as Jesus made his final journey to Jerusalem and the cross.  Darkness seemed to win.

Darkness seemed to win as Jesus was arrested and scourged before Pontius Pilate.

Darkness seemed to win as Jesus hung on the cross.

Darkness seemed to win as Jesus breathed his last and gave up his spirit.

Darkness seemed to win as Jesus' body was taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb; a tomb sealed with a stone.

Darkness seemed to win.

But the sinless life that Jesus lived was found acceptable by God, who raised Jesus to eternal life.  Darkness only seemed to win.

John was witness to the pivotal battle between darkness and light. The battle between spiritual darkness and the light of Christ.  The battle not decided on the cross but in the empty tomb. 

We live in a world where darkness still throws its shadows about, but the truth of John's Gospel is absolute:

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

The light of Christ has overcome the darkness, and has overcome it forever.  We will still have times of struggle but that doesn't change the fact of Jesus' victory over sin and death, a victory that is eternal.  Whether you are in a place of shadow or light may you know his presence and his peace in every moment of your life.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.