Genesis 1:3 Daily Devotional & Meaning – The Light of Creation and the Word Made Flesh

Benjamin Michael Mcgreevy
Feb 4
5 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Daily Verses Everyday! Day 1.3

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

Genesis 1:3 is one of the most striking moments in Scripture. In a single sentence, the universe shifts from emptiness and chaos to order and illumination. Yet, to fully grasp the depth of this verse, we must connect it with the New Testament revelation of Christ. John 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” A few verses later, John clarifies that “all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.” The “Word” John refers to is none other than Jesus Christ.

When God commands light to exist, it is this same Word—Jesus—through whom creation comes into being. The act of speaking light into existence is not a mere metaphor; it is an expression of divine authority. God’s voice is not dependent on tools or effort. Unlike humans, who labor to bring ideas into reality, God simply speaks, and creation responds. Light pierces the darkness instantly, transforming nothingness into something. This is a vivid demonstration of the power of God’s Word: it is active, authoritative, and life-giving.

The Presence of Christ in Creation

What is remarkable here is that Jesus is not only involved in the redemption of humanity centuries later; He is present from the very beginning. The Word through whom all things were made is active at the very moment light first shines. Genesis 1:3 is not just a story about the physical world coming into being—it is also a foreshadowing of Christ, the Light who would one day enter the world in human form. From the start, Jesus is essential, foundational, and inseparable from the act of creation itself. He is not only the Savior but also the Maker and Sustainer of life.

The significance of light coming before the creation of the sun, moon, and stars cannot be overstated. In our physical world, light is often associated with these celestial bodies. But Genesis makes it clear that the ultimate source of illumination is God Himself. Spiritual, moral, and physical light all flow from the Creator, not from the created. Just as the first light existed apart from any heavenly body, so too does true spiritual illumination come directly from Christ. John 8:12 affirms this when Jesus declares, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

This pattern—light preceding all else—teaches us a profound lesson: our lives are sustained not by the things God has made, but by God Himself. The sun, moon, and stars are reflections of His glory, but they are not the source. True life, clarity, and vision originate from the eternal, uncreated Light. Just as the darkness of the earth was dispelled by God’s Word in Genesis, the darkness of sin and death is dispelled in the life of Jesus Christ.

Light as a Symbol of God’s Nature

Light in Scripture is more than a physical phenomenon; it is a recurring symbol of God’s presence, purity, knowledge, and salvation. The light that God created in Genesis points forward to Christ, the eternal Light who enters human history to illuminate hearts and minds. In a world filled with confusion, deception, and moral darkness, Jesus brings understanding and direction. Just as the first light broke through the void, He brings clarity where there was once uncertainty.

Moreover, light in Genesis is not fleeting—it is self-existent, eternal, and independent of external sources. This mirrors the divine nature of God Himself. Before anything existed, He was light. After all creation fades, His light remains. Revelation 21:23 beautifully captures this eternal truth: “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.” From the moment God first speaks creation into being to the ultimate restoration of all things, light remains His signature. It is a constant reminder that God’s presence is what truly dispels darkness.

God’s Word: Authority and Life

Genesis 1:3 also reveals the power inherent in God’s Word. Unlike human speech, which can be ineffectual or ignored, God’s Word accomplishes precisely what it commands. When He speaks, reality bends to His will. This is a theme that threads throughout Scripture. Isaiah 55:11 declares, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

For believers today, this is both a comfort and a challenge. God’s Word is not just ancient history—it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It brings life, guides hearts, and transforms minds. Just as light entered the dark void at creation, so the Word of God enters our lives to bring wisdom, conviction, and hope.

Practical Implications for Believers

What does this mean for us in our daily lives? First, it reminds us that Christ is present in every moment, not just in our personal redemption but in sustaining all creation. The light that Jesus brings is not passive; it illuminates the path, warms the soul, and gives life. Second, it encourages us to rely on God as the ultimate source of truth and guidance. Just as creation depends on His Word for existence, we depend on Him for spiritual sustenance.

Finally, Genesis 1:3 invites us into a posture of awe and worship. The same Word that spoke galaxies into existence became flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14). This light is not distant; it enters the human story, shines in our hearts, and offers hope to a darkened world.

Conclusion

Genesis 1:3 is far more than an account of the physical creation of light. It is a revelation of God’s power, the presence of Christ from the beginning, and the eternal source of all illumination. The light that pierces the darkness is both literal and symbolic, pointing forward to the life, guidance, and salvation offered in Jesus. As we reflect on this verse, we see the constancy of God’s nature: unchanging, eternal, and illuminating. From the first moment of creation to the ultimate restoration of all things, the Word of God is the Light that dispels darkness, the Life that sustains, and the presence that endures forever.

If you would like to explore Genesis in a sustained, verse-by-verse way with space to reflect, journal, and trace how these foundational truths unfold through Scripture the Verse by Verse book expands these reflections into a unified reading experience. The book gathers these meditations into a structured journey through Genesis, designed to help readers linger in the text and engage God’s Word more deeply over time.