By one who listened to these words, they were long afterward re-echoed in that sublime passage, "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not." "That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:4, 5, R. V., 9. And long after Jesus had ascended to heaven, Peter also, writing under the illumination of the divine Spirit, recalled the symbol Christ had used: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19. In the manifestation of God to His people, light had ever been a symbol of His presence. At the creative word in the beginning, light had shone out of darkness. Light had been enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, leading the vast armies of Israel. Light blazed with awful grandeur about the Lord on Mount Sinai. Light rested over the mercy seat in the tabernacle. Light filled the temple of Solomon at its dedication. Light shone on the hills of Bethlehem when the angels brought the message of redemption to the watching shepherds.

Når Gud åbenbarede sig for sit folk, havde lyset altid været et symbol på hans nærværelse. Ved skabelsens første ord havde lyset strålet frem fra mørket. Lyset havde været gemt i skystøtten om dagen og i ildstøtten om natten og vist vejen far Israels store hærskare. Lyset havde flammet med frygtindgydende vælde om Herren på Sinaj bjerg. Der var lys over nådestolen i tabernaklet. Salomos tempel blev fyldt af lys ved sin indvielse. Lyset strålede over højene ved Betlehem, dengang englene bragte frelsens budskab til hyrderne, som holdt nattevagt.