The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

[Waylon]

LET THERE BE LIGHT​

And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. Genesis 1:3

God brings light into darkness. That is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and it begins here. In this verse, the spoken words of God create physical light to brighten a dark world. The New Testament records God sending his Son, Jesus, to be the light of the world (Jn 1:1 – 14).

And Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that salvation occurs when God commands the light of his own glory “displayed in the face of Christ” to shine on the darkness of sinful hearts (2Co 4:6).

Light represents the glory and salvation of God as it is expressed in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the exact representation of God, and he revealed God to a world sitting in darkness. Those who trust in Jesus are brought from the darkness of sin into God’s light — where there is joy, peace and hope forever. In the end, there will be no more darkness, and the light of God’s glory will shine brightly in God’s eternal kingdom (Rev 21:23).

Jesus, thank you for bringing light into my heart and into my life. Please shine your light through me so the people around me may encounter you. Amen.

 

[Waylon]

MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE​

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26–27

Human beings are uniquely created in the image of God. When the rest of creation was being birthed, it was “good.” God created the birds, fish, plants and stars to display his splendor and oh, how amazing they are. God said these creations were good. However, when it came to humans, the tone changed. He said that the creation of humans was “very good.” Human beings are an extra-special creation for at least three reasons.

First, it is clear that humans have an identity that is rooted in God. When God said, “Let us make mankind in our image,” he reiterated the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the act of creation. . . .Humans are special because Jesus, as a part of the Trinity, created them in his image. Second, humans are special because they were created for a unique purpose. No two humans are the same. Other aspects of creation serve general functions, but only humans have a unique, individual purpose. Third, humans are designed to have a one-on-one relationship with God through Jesus, powered by the Holy Spirit. As a right of being created in the image of their Creator, humans can relate directly to him. It is through Jesus that this relationship is made possible. He came and tore down the dividing wall of hostility that separated his special creation from God (Ro 8:34 – 39).

Jesus, thank you for tearing down that dividing wall between my Creator and me. Show me my purpose in this life and help me to accomplish it, starting today. Amen.

The Jesus Bible