THE DARKNESS DOES NOT OVERCOME IT!
I have had numerous “favorite” Bible verses throughout my life. John 3:16, when I was just a small lad in Sunday School, Matthew 6:33 in college, Philippians 1:21 in my early 30’s, and many more through the years. Perhaps that is just as it should be. Certain verses speak with resonant clarity at various points in one’s lifetime.
In this stage of my life, were you to ask, I would tell you that John 1:5 is my “favorite” Bible verse: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.”
I doubt this verse would make many people’s favorite list. That is okay with me. I particularly favor this word of comfort because I often struggle to understand why there is so much darkness in the world. Why does evil seem to get the upper hand so many times? In this my fifth decade of life, I look around and see everyone I know touched by some calamity or another. Physical illness, financial stress, relational dysfunction, addiction, and so many more problems afflict even God’s beloved children, my friends, my family, and my acquaintances alike. Add on top of that, senseless suffering like that caused by the act of terror at the Boston Marathon and one has to ask, Is the darkness winning? Truth be told, this is a very human response to all the mayhem and destruction we live through every day.
And then into these enduring questions comes the promise of God in John 1:5: “The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.”
Wow, I need to hear that promise spoken. Over and over and over yet again. God promises you and me that evil may still rage about us, but it will not be victorious. Destruction and death are not the last word. Jesus, the Light of the World, cannot be extinguished no matter how dark the world or our lives seem to become some days.
I cherish this Good News. I cling to this Good News. I trust this Good News.
May Christ the Light of the World so shine through your life and mine today that the darkness is beaten back a little further than before.
compurev 
This is one of my favorite verses also. I think it is supremely fine theology, and it gets the sociology right as well. We know what is true when we live it everyday. Nice reflection Steve.