Blinded By The Light

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.   John 1:9

The God who lives in unapproachable light veiled his glory, took human flesh, and was born as a human baby. When the Gospel writers announced the coming of Jesus into the world, they repeatedly explained his coming in terms of light.

At the Temple Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12). Later on Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain, and he was transfigured. The veil was taken away, and they caught a glimpse of his glory.

Dazzling light radiated from Jesus. The Gospels record that his clothes were “far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them” (Mark 9:3). John must have recalled that experience when he said, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:14). John knew that he had seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Years later, a man named Saul saw the same glory and was blinded by the intense light of the immediate presence of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He fell to the ground, and then he heard the voice of the Son of God (see Acts 9:3-5). Jesus’ glory was no longer veiled. Saul was overwhelmed by the dazzling brightness of the risen Lord in the same way Moses, Isaiah, and Ezekiel had been overwhelmed by God’s glory in the Old Testament.

The Son of God shares the Father’s glory (see John 17:5). But he put a veil over this glory so that it would be possible for us to know him and come to him. The intense light of God’s presence came among us in Jesus Christ. And when he came, he opened the way for people who walked in darkness to live in the light.

Jesus is the way by which a man or woman can live in the light of God’s presence. You can come to God through Jesus’ offering and sacrifice. You come in the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the gift of God to all who put their faith in Jesus.

For further reading, see Mark 9