JESUS IS LIFE, LIGHT, AND LORD – NOW CHOOSE HIM
Brethren, Friends, Praise the Lord, Thankyou Lord, Praise be to God.
Jesus Christ is the eternal Word who became flesh, stepped into our dust, shattered our darkness, paid our debt, rose again, and now calls us to believe, abide, and bear fruit.
He is the Word who was with God and is God (John 1:1). He is the Light that darkness cannot conquer (John 1:5). He gives new birth from above by water and the Spirit (John 3:3, 5). He satisfies thirsty hearts with living water (John 4:10, 14) and hungry souls with the Bread of Life (John 6:35). He declares I AM and proves it with signs that unveil His glory.
He commands us to believe and to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34–35). He sends the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, to dwell in us, teach us, guide us, and glorify Him (John 14:16–17, 26; 16:13–14). He calls us to abide in Him, for without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). He was lifted up to take away the sin of the world, cried It is finished, and rose in victory (John 1:29; 12:32–33; 19:30; 20).
Today, not tomorrow, is the day to step out of the shadows and into His marvelous light. Believe. Abide. Obey. Love. Witness. Live.
1) THE WORD BECAME FLESH: GOD CAME NEAR
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, KJV)
John opens with thunder. Jesus is the eternal Word, the One through whom all things were made. He is not created. He creates. He is not simply a messenger. He is the Message of God, walking among us. Then comes the staggering sentence we never get over: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
He pitched His tent in our neighborhood. He grew weary, He thirsted, He wept, yet without sin. Why would the Almighty step so low? So we could behold His glory, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Friends, do you feel God is distant? He came near. Do you wonder what God is like? Look at Jesus. In Him, grace does not cancel truth, and truth does not crush grace. Both shine in perfect beauty. Praise be to God.
Bold truth: God’s Word never returns void in creation, and God’s Living Word never returns void in salvation.
2) LIGHT VERSUS DARKNESS: STEP INTO THE DAY
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:4–5)
From Genesis’ “Let there be light” to Revelation’s city that needs no sun, God is Light.
Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Darkness hides. Light reveals. Darkness confuses. Light guides. Why do some cling to the night? John says it plainly, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).
Brethren, ever tried fixing something in a pitch-black room? You break more than you repair. Invite His light. Let Him expose the rot and heal it. The night may be thick, yet it cannot swallow His flame. Even on the night of betrayal “it was night” (John 13:30), but dawn was already marching toward an empty tomb. Praise the Lord.
3) NEW BIRTH AND ETERNAL LIFE: START AGAIN FROM ABOVE
Nicodemus came by night, religious yet restless. Jesus did not offer polish. He promised a new birth.
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
This is not self-improvement. This is regeneration. God births what flesh cannot. And here is the verse the world knows but must finally believe:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Eternal life is not only length of days. It is knowing God now. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). Friends, do you hear it? New heart. New identity. New future. Thankyou Lord.
4) LIVING WATER AND THE BREAD OF LIFE: SOUL-THIRST, SOUL-HUNGER, SOUL-PEACE
At a well in Samaria, Jesus asked for a drink, then offered one. “If thou knewest the gift of God… he would have given thee living water.” (John 4:10)
“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst… a well… springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)
She came with shame at noon and left with living water and a testimony by afternoon. Praise be to God.
Later the crowds chased Him for bread, and Jesus lifted their eyes higher. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.” (John 6:35)
The manna was a shadow. Christ is the substance. To eat His flesh and drink His blood (John 6:53) is to receive His sacrifice by faith until His life becomes our life.
Question: What have you been drinking that only makes you thirstier? Come, drink Christ. What have you been eating that cannot sustain your soul? Come, feed on Christ.
5) THE GREAT “I AM”: GOD’S NAME ON JESUS’ LIPS
When Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), stones rose to strike because hearts knew what He claimed. The Holy Name of Exodus 3:14 rested on the carpenter from Nazareth. John gathers seven “I AM” banners so our faith can run beneath them:
- I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)
- I am the Light of the World (John 8:12; 9:5)
- I am the Door (John 10:7, 9)
- I am the Good Shepherd who lays down His life (John 10:11, 14)
- I am the Resurrection, and the Life (John 11:25)
- I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
- I am the True Vine (John 15:1)
Every title meets a human need with divine sufficiency. Hungry. Lost. Exposed. Uncared for. Dying. Confused. Fruitless. Christ is enough.
6) SIGNS THAT POINT: SEE THE GLORY, TRUST THE PERSON
John selects signs not for spectacle but for revelation. At Cana, water blushed into wine (John 2:1–11). At Capernaum, a son was healed at a word from a distance (John 4:46–54). At Bethesda, a lame man stood after 38 years (John 5:1–9).
On a hillside, five loaves fed five thousand (John 6:1–14). On the sea, Jesus walked on waves and calmed fear with “It is I” (John 6:16–21). Near Siloam, a man born blind saw (John 9:1–7). In Bethany, Lazarus came forth at the voice that death cannot ignore (John 11:1–44).
These are signs. See past the gift to the Giver. Receive the sign, then believe the Son.
7) BELIEVE: THE VERB THAT OPENS HEAVEN
John uses the verb believe again and again so we will not treat faith like a label but as a leaning of the whole heart.
“As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God… even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
“This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29)
Thomas moved from doubt to worship, crying, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)
And Jesus blesses those who have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).
Question: Will you trust Him when the answer is delayed, the storm is loud, and the road is unclear? Believe, and you shall see the glory of God (John 11:40).
8) LOVE ONE ANOTHER: THE FAMILY MARK
With a towel around His waist and their dust on His hands, Jesus washed feet (John 13:3–17).
Then He issued a new commandment: “That ye love one another; as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) By this the world will know we are His (John 13:35).
He called us friends and defined greatest love as laying down life (John 15:13–15). In His High Priestly Prayer, He asked the Father to make us one so the world would believe (John 17:21–23).
Friends, doctrine matters. Worship matters. But love is the evidence. Who needs your towel today?
9) THE HOLY SPIRIT: OUR COMFORTER, TEACHER, AND GUIDE
Jesus promised another Comforter.
“He shall give you another Comforter… Even the Spirit of truth… he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:16–17)
“He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.” (John 14:26)
“He will guide you into all truth… he shall glorify me.” (John 16:13–14)
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27)
The Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). He is the wind of new birth (John 3:8). He is Christ’s very presence breathed upon His church (John 20:22).
Bold call: Welcome Him. Yield to His conviction. Follow His guidance. Let Him fill your worship with Spirit and truth (John 4:24).
10) ABIDE IN CHRIST: THE SECRET OF FRUIT
“I am the true vine… Abide in me… without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:1, 4–5)
Branches do not manufacture grapes. They receive life and bear fruit. Abiding means His words abide in us and our prayers align with His will (John 15:7). The Father prunes fruitful branches for more fruit (John 15:2). Joy is the atmosphere of abiding (John 15:11).
Brethren, are you withering or flourishing? Return to the Vine. Open the Word. Open your mouth in prayer. Open your hands in obedience. Thankyou Lord for the pruning that produces a harvest.
11) THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION: FINISHED WORK, OPEN TOMB
Behold Him through John’s eyes. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
He spoke of being lifted up to draw all men (John 12:32–33), echoing the serpent lifted by Moses for healing sight (John 3:14). From the cross He cried, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) The debt is paid in full. Prophecy fulfilled. Not a bone broken (John 19:36). They shall look on him whom they pierced (John 19:37).
On the third day, the stone yielded, the grave clothes lay, and a grieving woman heard her name, “Mary.” (John 20) Thomas touched and believed. The risen Christ breathed peace and sent His people (John 20:19–23). Praise the Lord. He lives.
12) TESTIMONY AND MISSION: SENT AS HE WAS SENT
John the Baptist pointed, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) The Samaritan woman cried, “Come, see a man.” (John 4:29) The once blind answered, “Whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25) Jesus told His own, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (John 20:21)
Friends, your world needs your witness. Not arrogance. Testimony. Not performance. Obedience. Not self-reliance. The Spirit’s power. Praise be to God who opens doors and hearts.
13) A HOLY APPEAL: FROM WARNING TO WELCOME
Warning: Darkness destroys. Pride blinds. Delay hardens.
Suggestion: Open His Word today. Open your heart in prayer.
Inspiration: Christ is enough for every need His “I AM” names.
Alarm: Life is a vapor. Eternity is certain.
Decision: Believe and live. Abide and bear fruit. Love and shine. Go and tell.
“These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31)
A SIMPLE PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Light of the world, I step out of darkness and come to You. I believe You are the Christ, the Son of God. Wash me by Your finished work. Fill me with Your Spirit. Teach me to abide. Make me a branch that bears much fruit, a disciple who loves, and a witness who points many to You. Thankyou Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise be to God. Amen.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
