Jesus Christ, The Light

“The Lord Will Give Light.” John 1:1-18

When we speak of light, we normally think of the light we can see - that which emanates from the sun, the stars, a flame, or our favorite, the power grid.

We are all too familiar with the contrast between light and darkness in the physical realm. Surely every one of us could tell a story about when we had to hold our tongue after stubbing our toe in the dark of the night – even pastors.

The beloved disciple John, here, uses the comparison in a sense that is much deeper. For just as we stumble in darkness here on earth when we cannot see, this serves as a vivid display of what is taking place spiritually for the universe – stumbling in darkness.

Proverbs 4:19 – “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”

Proverbs 4:19 ESV

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

- Darkness is hindering in human life, and without it, surely nothing and no one would survive. So it is with spiritual life, only worse. The darkness does not just lead to death, the darkness is spiritual death.

- All the world is walking in spiritual death – no light, no hope, no truth.

Consider what John wrote in his first epistle about those who are in sin.

1 John 2:11 – “But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

1 John 2:11 ESV

But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Or what Paul said to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

This death and darkness is the curse of sin which has come upon every man because of the first man Adam. It is a curse that requires a remedy that is far beyond mere effort. A remedy that is far beyond our human abilities. It requires an act of God himself.

Luke 2:1–11 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

In this all-familiar passage, we have the account of the birth of our Savior. The promise of the Old Testament that the Messiah would come was now being fulfilled.

- But this birth was more than just a mere man, this was more than just a human instrument that God would use to accomplish his purpose - no, this was much, much more.

Consider the Words of Simeon that we have seen a few times this Christmas season.

Luke 2:29–32 ESV

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Yes, this child was more than a human - this was the Salvation of God in human flesh.

The words that we find in John 1 give the behind-the-scenes details of all that Luke 2 means - The incarnation of God himself.

The darkness of this world is great, and the prince of the darkness is powerful, but God is greater.

Jesus Christ is the True, Eternal light that no darkness can overcome.

1. The Light Exists Eternally - Vv. 1-5

1. The Light Exists Eternally

John begins his Gospel record with familiar words - "In the beginning."

No doubt, our minds turn to Genesis 1:1 where the power of God was put on display in unfathomable splendor.

Genesis 1:1 ESV

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

But these words reach to a time even before creation itself.

Similarly, Mark started his Gospel record with the words "The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Son of God."

Mark told us of the beginning of the Gospel, and Moses told us of the beginning of the universe, but John tells us of the beginning before the beginning.

John tells us that in the beginning, the Word or Logos was with God, and the word was God.

Who is this Word? This Logos?

- The Greeks used this term, Logos, to refer to reason and speech. Further than that, they sometimes used it to refer to "The principle that controls the universe" or "The soul of the world." By this, of course, they were referring to an abstract principle - something that could only be surmised, but not a physical being.

But what of this Word? This Logos?

John certainly knew this Greek understanding, but He also knew very well the Hebrews understanding. In the Old Testament, the Word of the Lord was the expression of Divine power and wisdom.

Consider this statement in Psalm 33

Psalm 33:6 ESV

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Surely, this Word, This Logos is more than just an abstract principle or an idea.

Of course, from reading ahead to Vs. 14, we know that this Word is Jesus Christ!

John was presenting to his readers that this Word is the incarnation of divine power and revelation. And far beyond that, John is telling His readers that this Word is God Himself!

The Gospel of John, Volume 1: The Coming of the Light (John 1-4): An Expositional Commentary Chapter 2: Jesus Christ is God

What do you think of Jesus Christ? Who is he? According to Christianity this is the most important question you or anyone else will ever have to face. It is important because it is inescapable—you will have to answer it sooner or later, in this world or in the world to come—and because the quality of your life here and your eternal destiny depend upon your answer. Who is Jesus Christ? If he was only a man, then you can safely forget him. If he is God, as he claimed to be, and as all Christians believe, then you should yield your life to him. You should worship and serve him faithfully

The Word was with God, The Word Was God.

When John says "The Word was With God," he is not merely saying that God and Christ were existing together - but rather this phrase pros ton Theon refers to being face-to-face with God. It really gives the picture of them being in conversation, in a discourse - as it were.

This gives us insight into the incredible position that Jesus Christ had - he was not merely some creature that existed before the rest of us.

The Word Was God.

John minces no words in stating clearly that Jesus Christ is God. This is the theme of his whole Gospel record.

Without spending too much time and distracting from the main point, it is worth noting here that many heretical groups through the centuries have used a mis-translation of this very text to diminish the Deity of Christ.

- By translating it as "The Word was a God" or "The Word was Divine"

And although many have been led astray by this, this is an attack on what God's Word is saying, and on the Godhead itself.

He was in the beginning with God.

Jesus Christ was not a created being, not even a special creation meant to be the messiah. Jesus Christ is God, was God and with God from eternity past, and remained God as he walked the dusty roads of Palestine as a man in human flesh.

Vs. 3 cf. Colossians 1:13-20

Colossians 1:13–20 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

In Him Was Life, and the life was the light of men.

This reference to Christ having "Life and Light" is not simply a sentimental religious prop that sounds good on a Christmas Card, this is a realization of the Divine attributes that Christ has.

cf. John 5:26

John 5:26 ESV

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

This is what we call Aseity or "self-existence", speaking further to the fact that this "Word" is more than just a creation, He is in deed the Creator.

This is a theme that John will repeat many times, and one that begins to clue us in on the redemptive work of Christ. He starts here, and He finishes here. cf. 20:30-31

John 20:30–31 ESV

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus Christ, The Word, has life in himself, He gives life to all in Creation, and He offers eternal life in salvation.

Vs. 5

John here moves to the present tense - The Light of Christ shines in the darkness, as He did years ago, and he will continue.

The Darkness that entered through sin and the fall is deadly, and it is black, but it is not absolute - only the light is absolute.

The darkness is not just the lack of truth, the darkness is the lie and deceit of unbelief.

This darkness has not overcome, you may have comprehend. This word means to grasp, to wrap around, but more emphatically to seize or defeat.

The darkness is strong, but it is not able to overcome the light and life of the Eternal Word.

So this Word is eternal, is God, is life and light, and this life and light is the light of men. THe light that they need.

2. The Light Transforms Supernaturally - Vv. 6-13

2. The Light Transforms Miraculously

John The Baptist

John, here, fittingly introduces the ministry of another John, the forerunner of Christ. But what John says about Him here is quite astonishing.

John 1:6–8 ESV

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

John the Baptist's entire purpose was to bear witness to the true light which was Jesus Christ. In comparing John to Jesus, it is no comparison. John was a man used by God, Jesus was God descending to man.

John the man is simply a man, but John's message was of more than a man. "Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand." John was not the light, but he told of the light - the true, transforming light.

The True Light was Coming into the world.

This is the miracle, that this light came into the world to give light unto all.

This is not to say that every man has some inner light within him that if he just follows that light he will someday be redeemed, as some have surmised. But this is to say that Jesus, The Word, is the True Light - and to follow Him is the way to life.

Every man does not have light within Himself, but every man is responsible for the light that God has given to the world. Cf. Rom. 1:18-21

Romans 1:18–21 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

This gives a vivid, yet horrifying picture for verses 10-11.

The True light is in the world, the Light which is the one that created the very world He stepped into, yet the world does not regard him. They see his eternal power and attributes, and even hear His Gospel, but they refuse Him - rejecting the life and light.

It is not simply that they saw the light and simply didn't understand, or simply were confused, but it is that they saw the light and did not want it - the depravity of their will chaining them to disbelief and rejection. As Christ told his disciples, "If the world hates you, it is because they hated me first."

Even further, John tells us that God's very people saw this light, both in person and in the affects of His life, and they did not receive Him. This mass rejection of the true light was no surprise to God, as He said in Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Few find it. Few come to the true light, the light of men. Few see the Word of God and the message of the Gospel and bow down. And this is not because the others have found a better way, and alternative route to a similar outcome, no. It is because they are walking in the darkness even now.

This is reiterated in John 3:19

John 3:19 ESV

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

But that is not the story of every person. There is an alternative - the transforming, powerful nature of this Light.

Where verse 11 gives a dismal picture of rejection, Verse 12 gives the glorious picture of redemption.

As James Boice points out -

The Gospel of John, Volume 1: The Coming of the Light (John 1-4): An Expositional Commentary Chapter 11: The Free Offer of the Gospel

It reminds us here at the very beginning of the Gospel—even before the account of the crucifixion and the resurrection—that the gospel of salvation by grace apart from the keeping of the law is today offered freely to all men, and it points to the glorious privilege of those who receive it.

Everyone who receives Christ, to believe in his name, are made the sons of God. This receiving is not simply an intellectual pursuit, or "asking Him into your heart." This is seeing the true light, his claims, His deity, his offer, his message, both positive and negative, and grasping hold of the Light of Life.

This is echoed so beautifully in John 3:16-18

John 3:16–18 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

How is one made a child of God? you ask. By Faith.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

A child of God! Part of God's own covenant family. A right that was relinquished by God's own people when they rejected their Messiah is available to all who will truly believe on His name.

Those believing on the Name of Christ by Faith are made his Children, and are regenerated - a new birth. A birth which, as verse 13 states so clearly, did not come by their physical birth - for God's own people rejected Him. Not by with will of themselves, for man naturally hates God, and not by the will of other men - for we do not have the light of life in us. But by the will and power of God alone! This is the transforming nature of the Light of Christ!

3. The Light Reveals God's Grace and Glory

3. The Light Reveals God's Grace and Glory

Now at this point, John brings back the word "Logos" - The Word. It is here that the incarnation of Christ is spoken of in the strongest sense.

- John could have easily said "The Word became like flesh," or "The Word took on the appearance of flesh."

But the Spirit-inspired words here are "The Word Became Flesh."

Ff Bruce, Siting Hebrews 1 says this:

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to John I. The Prologue (1:1–18)

‘In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son’ (Heb. 1:1–2). The Word, God’s very Self-expression, who was both with God and who was God, became flesh: he donned our humanity, save only our sin. God chose to make himself known, finally and ultimately, in a real, historical man: ‘when “the Word became flesh”, God became man’

He Dwelt Among Us.

The word for "dwelt among us" would have caused John's readers to think of a couple other words.

First is the Greek word for Tabernacle - what would have been used in the Greek Old Testament.

The Word "tabernacled" among us.

But second, many would have picked up on another phrase that ties this in with the next part of the verse.

Many of you have no doubt head of the "Shekinah Glory" of God? This was a popular term used by the Rabbis in that day to refer back to God's Manifest Glory, or His Dwelling Glory.

So when John says, The Word (who is God) became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, he is saying to those who knew God's dealings with His people that "God has become a man! He has tabernacled with us in person, he has revealed the Shekinah Glory in a way unlike any other!"

We Beheld His Glory, Full of Grace and Truth. Cf. Exodus 34:5-7 on Mt. Sinai

Exodus 34:5–7 ESV

The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

Vv. 15-18

God revealed His Shekina Glory before the world in the person of Jesus Christ!

- But in that glory it was not just revealed The person of God, but what was wrapped up in himself - Grace and Truth. If God had only revealed Himself in Holiness without revealing His Grace and Truth, we would all be the worse off.

For of His fulness we have all received, Grace upon Grace...

- Grace upon Grace - what does this mean?

It can mean, and certainly does imply "Grace, and then more Grace" or "One blessing after another."

It can also mean "Grace in stead of Grace."

For indeed, God had revealed himself Graciously in the Old Covenant.

Even paul said in Romans 7

Romans 7:7,12

Romans 7:7 ESV

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

Romans 7:12 ESV

So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

and again in Galatians 3 He said this:

Galatians 3:24 ESV

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Surely the Grace and Truth of Christ does not negate the Law of God, as if God in the Old Testament was some mean, maniacal God who has now repented and given Grace. But as Jesus said,

Matthew 5:17–18 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Jesus did not come with Grace and Truth saying "Yeah, the whole law thing? That was a really bad idea, and I think I want a do-over, so I'm going to Give Grace and Truth."

No, the law reveals God's character - it reveals His likes and dislikes. It reveals His standard of righteousness, and most of all, it reveals our need of Him - and that is precisely where Grace and Truth step in.

Now, in stead of our righteousness being based upon the keeping of the Law, which we could never do, it is based upon Christ Himself - who has fulfilled and kept the Law completely in our stead.

If there has ever been a light in the darkness, it is this light of Grace. We were stumbling in darkness, chained down to our sin - the law gave enough light for us to realize that were were prisoners, but only the light of the Grace and Truth of Christ was sent to set us free.

Christ - as we see him this season a babe in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, is more than just a mere expression of religious sentiment - more than just a holiday tradition as we set out our nativity scene. No, the baby in the manger only serves to deepen the magnitude of this incarnation and all that is wrapped up within it.

For He has brought Grace and Truth, he has brought a light for the nations to come to faith and repentance in Him - Salvation for condemnation, Grace of the Gospel where we knew only our failings.

Jesus Christ is the True and Eternal light that no depth of darkness can overcome.