Some people are afraid of the dark. Who knows what’s hiding around the corner or down the stairs? On the Bible’s first page in Genesis 1, the world is a dark and scary place. Who knows what’s hiding in the unseen depths? Then God says, “Let there be light,” and puts darkness in its place (Genesis 1:3-4).

From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, the Bible connects light close­ly with God. In Revelation 22, we learn that residents of the New Jerusalem won’t need lamps or even the sun because “the Lord God will give them light” (Revelation 22:5).

This connection between God and light shows up in the story of Jesus when a mysterious event changes his appearance. His face shines “like the sun,” and his clothes become “as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). Amazing!

From multiple angles, the gospel writers seek to answer the question “Who is Jesus?” His shin­ing appearance sends a bright signal that Jesus is God, who “wraps himself in light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2).

The world can still be a dark and scary place—and not just at night. But here’s some good news. Wherever the light of Jesus shines, it puts darkness in its place. And it helps us not to be afraid.