Advent: Light

Most (58.2%) are unsure or strongly disagree that Jesus rose from the grave. Most (61.8%) are unsure or openly say they do not know Jesus personally. Most (66.9%) are unsure or strongly disagree that Jesus is the only way for salvation. Most (71.9%) are unsure or strongly disagree that Jesus lived a sinless life on earth. Most (61.6%) are unsure or strongly disagree with the Lordship and rule of Jesus. Most (76.7) view Jesus as a good and wise moral teacher but nothing more. Most (84.5%) view Jesus as only a great prophet. Half (50.3%) are unsure or strongly disagree that Jesus was both divine and human. Most (67.9%) are unsure or strongly disagree that Jesus was the expected Jewish Messiah.

[TS]: John taught that Jesus was pre-existent, powerful and present in creation, and the light and life of mankind. [RS]: Thus, we need to be a people who are not only acquainted with what the Bible says about Jesus, but affirming of who Jesus is. Many are not prepared to do that, today. TS: Let us examine a few affirmations about Jesus, now:

Jesus has always existed. [vv. 1-2]

Notice that the beginning of verse one in John’s Gospel is similar to the beginning of verse one in the book of Genesis. Both the account in Genesis and in John’s Gospel assume the existence of God rather than recording the creation of God. Specifically, John’s Gospel assumes the existence of Jesus with God in the beginning, not having been created, but always existing.

Gerald L. Borchert, in The NAC, commented that within verses 1-2 there are “three basic affirmations” whereby he highlights that John affirms Jesus’ pre-existence to the world with God, Jesus’ relationship with God (as to distinguish the two), and the unity between Jesus and God. [1]

Notice the verb used in these verses, ἦν- the imperfect, active, indicative form of the verb εἰμί, meaning to be, or in the tense used here, “was” communicating this pre-existence as distinct from the verb used in verses 3, 6, 10, and 14, ἐγένετο, the aorist, indicative form of the verb γίνομαι meaning to become “to denote that something had taken place or come to pass in time and space.” [2] Thus, even the language used this passage communicates that Jesus existed outside of time and space.

Jesus was powerful and present in creation. [v. 3]

The testimony of not only the Gospel writer John, but the whole of the New Testament is that Jesus was active and powerful in creation.

Colossians 1:16 “16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.”

Revelation 4:11 “11 Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”

The preposition διὰ used in the early part of this verse highlights the active engagement and involvement of Jesus in creation. However, the wording of the latter part of this verse leaves no question of Jesus’ presence and power in creation: καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγἐνετο οὐδὲ ἓν. “and apart from him not one single thing has come into being (has been created)”

Jesus is the light and life of man. [vv. 4-5]

These verses are important, perhaps, for providing foundational understanding of who Jesus was, as a part of the Trinity, active in creation and pre-existent thereof, as well as the agent of salvation, come unto man to provide light and life.

Again, the verb used in verse 4 is the same verb used in verses 1-2, the verb communicating pre-existence.

Throughout John, there is a constant emphasis and comparison between light and darkness. Here, as early as the first verses in the Gospel of John, John is declaring that Jesus is life and that His life provides light for man.

Notice verse five, which is crucial to the message and perspective of the Gospel writer, John: Jesus’ light shines (presently, actively, continually) into the darkness, and the darkness did not (aorist insinuating decisive, deliberate action) overcome (or grasp) it. There are two ways people have understood this verse:

Because Jesus is victorious, His life (and thus the light He gives to man) provides victory over the darkness of sin and evil.

Those in the darkness did not comprehend or embrace, grasp, or accept His light, implying that one can reject the light of Christ.

Neither perspective is definitively more right than the other. Both carry weight and provide understanding to the message of John’s Gospel. Both provide truth. Jesus is victorious; thus, men who trust Him are victorious. Jesus provides life; yet, men can reject this life.

Think with me on two verses also in John’s Gospel:

John 1:14 “14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 20:31 “31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

In view of the affirmations already mentioned, the importance of the verses highlighted in the affirmations, and the understanding of Jesus gained from these verses, think with on these verses:

If Jesus existed before the world, was active in creating the world, and provides life and light for man… how does He do so? By dwelling among us.

How do we respond? If it is possible for man to reject this life, then it is also possible for man to accept this life. How? By believing in Jesus Christ.

Reflective Questions:

[1] Have you trusted in the light of Christ, embracing His life, enjoying eternal life He gives?

Bibliography:

[1] Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 102–103.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Donald Guthrie, “John,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994).

[4] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014).

[5] Matt Carter and Josh Wredberg, Exalting Jesus in John (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017).

[6] Andreas J. Köstenberger, “John,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017).

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