“All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
(John 1:3-4)
Scripture declares Christ as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev. 1:8, 21:6, 22:13). It also testifies that God made all things for Himself, and more particularly, for His Son; all things were made by Him and for Him.
With this in mind, the creation of humanity may rightly be understood as the Father preparing a bride for His Son, a people upon whom He might set His love and with whom He might dwell in eternal joy. The end of creation, then, is the mutual delight between Christ and His redeemed bride. [1]
John goes further. In addition to declaring Christ as Creator, he states that He is the source of life itself. “In Him was life, and this life is the light of men.” Apart from Him, humanity sits in darkness—ignorant of God, alienated from truth, and dead in sin. But the life that is in Christ shines forth as light, revealing God, exposing sin, and guiding the soul into truth.
Moreover, because this eternal Christ, by whom all things were made, is before all things, all creation depends on Him for preservation. Creatures fade and pass away, but He endures through all generations.
Finally, this eternal Christ gives hope in death and comfort in bereavement because those who die in Him will be raised to eternal life. Death cannot sever our union with Christ, because Christ Himself is life.
Thus, in Christ the Creator, Sustainer, and Life-giver, all things find their origin, meaning, and end for He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Contemplations
- Christ as Creator. I am reminded that nothing in my life exists apart from Christ’s will. My body, my breath, my days, and my opportunities all come from Him. This humbles my pride and silences my complaints. I cannot claim independence when all things were made by Him and for Him.
- Christ as the End. If all things were created for Christ, then my life cannot rightly be centered on myself. I was made to live for Him and to delight in Him.
- Life and Light in Christ. I see how easily I drift into places of darkness and doubt when I neglect fellowship with Christ. Life and light come from abiding in Him.
- Eternal Perspective. Trials, fears, and losses are temporary, but Christ is eternal. He remains when all else fails and falls away. So I am thankful that my hope does not rest in circumstances that change but in a Savior who does not.
Prayer (Adoration)
Eternal Son of God, by whom all things were made, I bow before You in reverence and wonder. You are before all things, and in You all things consist. Nothing exists apart from Your will, and nothing finds its true end apart from Your glory.
I adore You as the living source of all life. In You is life, and that life is the light of men. Where You shine, darkness flees. Where You speak, truth is revealed. Where You reign, all things find their proper order.
I praise You as the rightful end of creation. All things were made for You. My life, my calling, my time, and my future belong to You. Teach my heart to prefer You above all else, to fear You rightly, and to serve You faithfully in my appointed days.
I glorify You for Your immutability. Generations rise and fall, but You remain the same. Your mercy endures forever, Your purposes stand, and Your promises cannot fail.
Receive my worship, not as something You need, but as what You deserve. Let my life, my words, and my devotion reflect the glory of Him by whom all things were made, and in whom all things find their life and light.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References for John 1:3-4:
Col. 1:16; John 1:10; Heb. 1:2; Gen. 1:26
[1] Jonathan Edwards, The “Miscellanies”: (Entry Nos. A-z, Aa-zz, 1-500), ed. Thomas A. Schafer and Harry S. Stout, Corrected Edition, vol. 13, The Works of Jonathan Edwards (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2002), 374.
