But Christ Has Come
Thursday’s Verse:
From John 12:46 ESV
(Jesus said) “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
Jesus says these words near the end of His earthly ministry. Here He states plainly who He is and why He came. Jesus is the Light sent by the Father into a world darkened by sin, guilt, death, and unbelief. We cannot find our way out of that darkness on our own. On our own, we cannot see God as we should, trust Him as we ought, or save ourselves.
But Christ has come.
His light is not simply good advice or an example to follow. Christ is the crucified and risen Savior. On the cross, Jesus entered into the darkest darkness of our sin and God’s judgment against it. There He bore our sin and our punishment in our place, so that by His death we may be forgiven, made right with the Father, and delivered from death. Because He rose from the dead, the light of life shines forth in His resurrection—stronger than sin, stronger than the grave, and stronger than every power of darkness.
By His Gospel, the Holy Spirit brings this light to you and to me. God called you out of darkness into His wonderful light by Baptism. There in the preached Word and the Lord’s Supper, Christ meets you and continues to give you forgiveness and life. Faith does not keep us from having dark days. Faith means that even in our dark days we have the One who is the Light of the world.
When fear, grief, temptation, or uncertainty overshadows your day, do not look first to your own strength. Look to Jesus. Remember His promise to you: whoever believes in Me will never remain in darkness.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Merciful Father, You’ve given us Your Son, Jesus Christ, to bring light into our darkened lives. Thank You for this wholesome blessing. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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