In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:1-5
About 100 years before Jesus was born the migration of Germanic tribes like the Cimbri posed a serious threat to the Roman Republic. In early battles the Romans were badly defeated, so the veteran general Gaius Marius was sent to take command of the legions and defend the nation. He met the Cimbrian army at Vercellae, in what is now northern Italy. Marius carefully selected the position of his army, forcing the enemy to attack into the morning sun. According to the historian Plutarch, the bright light gleaming from the helmets and shields of the Roman legions made it almost impossible for the Cimbri warriors to send signals and coordinate their attacks. As a result, the Romans won a decisive victory, ending the threat of the invasion.
We live in a world filled with darkness. Every day brings new reminders that the forces of evil are active in their opposition to God’s purposes and God’s people. This is no surprise, for that is their primary motivation. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Though we do have a powerful and determined foe, and though there are challenges to face and battles to fight, we are on the winning side. No matter how strongly the darkness fights, it cannot overcome the light. The ultimate victory has already been won. Our responsibility is simply to be light in a dark world. Paul wrote, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
