In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

In the beginning God spoke through the Word and said, “Let there be light.” It was those very words that brought forth life out of that which was dark and void (empty). If the light was what was needed for creation to come alive, how much more so does that need to be done in our created lives now? Of course, since we diminished that light by allowing sin to creep its way in, God Himself set in motion that actual source of light and life to redeem us from the darkness that now leaves each one of us empty.

As He begins to declare His presence to creation again, He starts with the very symbol that would foreshadow the One who was to come in Exodus 25:31- You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. The Lampstand was placed in the first section upon entrance called the Holy Place. Its light was to be tended by God’s servants, so that it never went out and so it could give forth light day and night. It was the only source of light to guide those who entered into His presence in the temple.

It is interesting to note in the command in Exodus, that the lampstand was to be made of one unified piece. The small branches were supported by the main shaft and the oil (Spirit) flowed from the base of the branches through the wicks so they gave off the light that was needed. This reminds us that our unity is only made complete in Christ who is the source of our light.

Sadly, God’s people did not do a great job of tending daily to the “Lampstand” so that His light would not go out. We recognize that as we approach this Passover season. What we witness here, should allow us also to see, that if Jesus Himself is the light of the world as scripture tells us, then there would be significance to that very lampstand being snuffed out. Not surprisingly we do. Matt 27:45 tells us- Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. Of course once the “living Lampstand”, the light of the world was crucified, darkness descended on the earth. It was during these very dark hours that God shook the very temple where man sought to gain access to Him and snuffs out its light and tears its veil. Not only that, but Mark 15:33 reveals to us that Jesus was buried, covered up (like a light hidden under a bowl) at around sunset (early evening). Just as the light of the earth descended behind the horizon, so the light of the world descended into the grave.

Lest we lose all hope, we are reminded of the power of the one who spoke the light of life into the darkness to begin with. Something that the darkness of mankind can never comprehend. Early on the first day of the week, the Son rises (Mark 16:1-2) just as the sun He created rose. It is in this profound moment that God speaks into creation again with the final, LET THERE BE LIGHT. And while the darkness still may not be able to comprehend the One that gives the very source of life, those who do step into the light recognize this one thing. That man can never snuff out what God has ordained, for we are not the source of His life, but He is the source of ours!

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
   of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1