In Physics, light is known to have dual nature: wave and particle. This theory called dualism of light was discovered by Thomas Young in 1807 and later confirmed by Albert Einstein in 1905.

Light can propagate like a wave, but light can also be absorbed and emitted through interaction with the material. For years, scientists have believed that “light is not only a wave but also a particle.”

Who would have imagined that this discovery has become the foundation of technological advances in our world today? Diverse applications of light have improved many areas in our lives, such as health, communication, and transportation.

Science has revealed that there are many other invisible lights than the light our eyes can see. According to the electromagnetic spectrum, these lights have distinct characteristics and carry different energies, therefore they can be utilized for different purposes.

Light is perhaps just as important as food. Plants cannot grow without sunlight, animals cannot grow without plants, and humans also need plants, fruits, and animals to survive. Simply put, there would be no life without light.

OK. Enough introduction. I’m not gonna further tell about the physical light (since my knowledge is limited and, of course, you can do your own researches on the internet for more details).

Let us now talk about Christ, who claimed himself as the light of the world.

Over two millenniums ago, John (the beloved Christ’s disciple) wrote one of the most intriguing statements in the history:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Jesus confidently said something of His nature: the light of the world. But He also promised something for His followers: they will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. In other words, those who want to experience the light of life must follow Christ—otherwise, they will remain in darkness. What an exclusive claim!

Now, let’s see what makes the light of the world so special (there is none like Him). It’s no accident that this Light is also characterized by the dual nature in various ways!

There are at least five ways in the Bible where Christ has revealed His dualism:

Full of Grace and Truth

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Jesus Christ is the Word of God who became flesh (man), He is the glory of God, and He is full of grace and truth. You see, Grace and Truth is a Person. By nature, grace is inclusive, but truth is exclusive. Nobody can be inclusive and exclusive at the same time, except the Sovereign God. As we follow Christ, we live by God’s grace and truth, which set us free from sin and evil.

The Lamb and The Lion

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

John 1:29

Jesus Christ is portrayed as the Lamb of God—He gave up His life as the only sacrifice that can satisfy God’s holy judgment upon sin. Through Christ’s finished work on the cross, all humanity can experience God’s forgiveness and salvation by faith in Him. No more animal sacrifices are needed to earn God’s mercy.

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Revelation 5:5

In Revelation 5:1-7, Jesus Christ is not only pictured as Lamb who had been slain, but also as the Lion of Judah. He is the only one who is worthy to take the scroll out of God’s right hand. In other words, Christ alone has the authority to establish God’s final judgment over all the earth. Jesus is the descendant of David, from the tribe of Judah by lineage. The good news: He has become a Pledge of Safety for us on the Day of Judgment.

God and Man

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:3

Jesus prays to God the Father revealing to us that He has been given authority over all mankind. He is able to give eternal life to all who belong to Him. Everlasting life means knowing God and believing in Christ, the Savior of the world. On another occasion, Jesus reveals that He has the power to assure the eternal security of salvation of His followers and that He and God are one (John 10:27-30).

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:5

Through the miracle of incarnation, Jesus is not only God, but also a perfect (blameless, innocent) man. While His deity makes Him infinite and innocent, His humanity makes it possible for Him to reconcile the broken relationship between God and man. Therefore, Christ is able to become propitiation for all humanity throughout all ages.

King and Servant

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 17:14

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is entitled, “The King of the Jews” even in His death (John 19:19). And according to Paul, since Christ has “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11). Christ’s believers all around the world worship Him as King. Jesus Christ will also return for the second time as King of kings to make all things new on heaven and earth and establish His eternal kingdom.

But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:42-45

Jesus views great, successful leadership differently than the world’s. He not only teaches His disciples the theory (or principles), but also demonstrates it with His own life, in serving God and others for the sake of God’s kingdom. This model of leadership, which today is known as being a servant leader, has become essential in many impactful governances. This value has inspired sustainable leaderships in different kinds of area (e.g., politics, education, business, military). Jesus leads by example. He practices what He preaches, ultimately in giving up His life for our redemption, to reconcile us with the heavenly Father (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 5:2).

The Alpha and The Omega

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

Jesus revealed to the Jews, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58). Christ’s pre-existence asserts His existence before the incarnation. John the Baptist also testified that Jesus already existed long before him (John 1:15). In His prayer, Jesus indicated that He shared the glory with God before the world existed (John 17:5). Perhaps, Jesus was referring to the moment of creation recorded in Genesis 1:26, the first book of the Bible. Finally, in the last book of the Bible, John wrote Christ’s revelation of Himself: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Since Christ is the Beginning and the End, that means, He is not limited by time and space. He knows each and everyone of us before we were born. He is the Lord of past, present, future. He is the Almighty.

Perhaps, only Christ can travel faster than light.

Vancouver, August — September 2020