https://odb.org/MY/2023/02/16/reflecting-his-light
In John chapter 1, John describes Jesus as the Word (Logos) who was there at the beginning. He went on to state that the Word was with God and was God. In John 1:4, it is written that in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. In verse 14, John then stated that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, that we beheld His glory, the glory as the only glory of the begotten Father, full of grace and truth. Thus, Jesus was the Word and that He was the source of life and the light for mankind as Jesus was with God at the beginning and was God.
Although we understand the Word (Logos) to mean the written Word of God as in Scriptures, Logos as enumerated by John has a broader meaning. In Greek thought, then prevalent, Logos means the source of life, the source in the universe that brings forth life. Logos was the force that existed even before creation, before Zeus and all the gods in Greek mythology. Thus, John asserted that Jesus and the Father were both that Logos as the Holy Trinity that existed at the beginning, before anything even existed. That is why the Word (Logos) was the source of life and light for humanity.
Applying this to the concept of light for paintings, the principle is reflected light is never as strong as source light. Reflected light belongs to the shadow (background) and must support and not compete with the source of light. Thus, as a life that came from God, we will never be as strong as the source of life in God and must likewise support and not compete with God. Our lives should reflect His glory, His light, His life. That is why He must come forth, and we must be in the shadow (background). Let Jesus be in front, take the limelight, and be the prominent one in our lives. Like the case of John the Baptist, proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom of God, the one whose thongs on His sandals he was not even worthy to untie (Luke 3:15-17).
This morning, as we start our day and go to work or college, just remember that Jesus is the source of life and light. Without Him, we have no life and no light, too. Let our lives therefore reflect His glory and light as we put Him in the forefront, and we withdraw into the shadow so that His life and light truly shine forth from our lives!
Ronnie's Thoughts 