In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5 NIV

Word definition:

Conquer is a word descriptive of but rarely used to define Jesus.

It means “to defeat an enemy, or take control or possession of a foreign land.” In this sense, Jesus comes as the light to conquer a world filled with darkness. Everything he does, every person he heals, and everyone he rescues from the darkness of a soul without God is him conquering the darkness.

Deep reflection:

• Read all of John chapter 1
• Read John 3:16-21 then write down a Biblical definition of darkness
• Read John 12:37-46 and list 3-5 ways Jesus can set us free from the darkness

Jesus redefined:

Redefining Jesus means tossing out our erroneous views and replacing them with accurate ones.

• What view of Jesus do you have, which could and should be replaced by the Jesus who conquers the darkness?
• How could changing your view of Jesus to “conqueror of darkness” help you in your own efforts to defeat darkness?
• What would happen if you started each day determined to be a “conqueror of darkness?”

*Definitions in “The 12 Days of Jesus” studies are based on the Cambridge Dictionary

Explore the series:

• Feature: The 12 Days of Jesus
• Day 1: Conqueror of Darkness
• Day 2: Courage in the Temple
• Day 3: Compassion for the Disabled
• Day 4: Confidence Turns the Tide
• Day 5: Captivating the Crowds
• Day 6: Cagey and Colorful in Conflict
• Day 7: Controversial to the Conventional
• Day 8: Convincing the Confused
• Day 9: Comforting the Cautious
• Day 10: Clarity for the Complicated
• Day 11: Calm for the Chronically Contentious
• Day 12: Concerned about the Cynical