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TEXT: John 1:1-13
SUBJECT: The Light of the World
JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Jesus Christ is "the light of the world". This is how John describes Him in the verses before us. He introduces Him as "the Word", in v.1, but then quickly changes the figure to "the light". And stays with it. His "life is the light of men" (v.4); He "shines in darkness" (v.5); another came to "bear witness of His light" (vv.7,8); He is "the true light" (v.9a); and He "gives light to every man who comes into the world" (v.9b). John's meaning is impossible to mistake: Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.
But is he alone in his assessment? He is not. John the Baptist is in hearty agreement. This great prophet specifically denies being "the light" himself, and gives that honor to another, Jesus Christ. And the Lord Himself accepts the title. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life". "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world". "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness".
The Old Testament Scriptures speak of Him in the very same way. They call Him, for example, "a star" and "a sun". And what are these heavenly bodies but lights? They foresee Him as "a light of the Gentiles". His coming is likened to the dawning of a new day.
Peter, James, and John were "eyewitnesses of His majesty" which was largely expressed by His blinding light. The Apostle to the Hebrews called Him "the brightness of God's glory". St. Ambrose of Milan put it to verse,
"O Splendor of God's glory bright,
From light eternal bringing light,
Thou light of light,
Light's living spring,
True day, all days illumining."
Make no mistake about it: Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.
These words are beautiful, of course. But what do they mean? I needn't labor this point, I hope, but His light is not a physical brightness. Sacred art often pictures a radiant Savior. While teaching, He is wearing a halo; in prayer, His face shines. This are pretty thoughts of course, but not true ones. This man--the prophet tells us--"has no form or comeliness and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him".
"God is light". A blinding light. "No man can see (Him) and live" Moses is told. And Jesus is God. Thus, you'd think His radiance would be visible. And so it is...now. But in His state of humiliation, He veiled it. And so the "light" of which John writes is not a physical brightness. Not at all.
Then what is it? "Light" is a figure of speech, and signifies something else. What? Two things, I think: knowledge and holiness. Ignorance is often compared to darkness; knowledge to light. Depravity, too, is frequently called "darkness" and its opposite, "light". This is how I interpret the figure of speech. And I think with good reason. The people not receiving this "light" (vv.5,10) are ignorant. And, in 3:19, we find, "And this is the condemnation; that light came into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil".
If Jesus Christ is the "light of the world", He is its source of truth and holiness.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John lived in an age of religious pluralism. There were many saviors, many prophets, many oracles, many faiths, many truths, many churches, many cults, all of which were (more-or-less) leading to the same God. But John shatters the indecision! He exalts Christ as the only light. Greek writers were very careful in their use of the definite article. The Apostle uses it six times in less than one paragraph! Christ is "the light of men...the light shines in the darkness...John is not that light, but came to bear witness of the light...That was the true light..." and so on.
If what John has written is true, that Christ is "the one-and-only light", it follows that there is no truth and no holiness apart from Him.
CHRIST IS A REJECTED LIGHT
If the Lord Jesus embodies all truth and holiness; if there is hope and life in no one else, you'd think that everyone would flock to Him. But you'd be wrong. As wrong as wrong can be. For v.10 reminds us "the world did not know Him..." The next verse adds, "...His own did not receive Him". In short, the Light is unwelcome. Ignorance and depravity are preferred to holiness and truth.
Most damning: the choice is a conscious one. "He gives light to every man who comes into the world". Men intuitively feel their need for Christ, but choose to reject Him. This is true of men who've never heard His name. They "hold down the truth in unrighteousness" Paul tells us in Romans 1. It is doubly true of people who come to church, who hear Christ preached, and remain uncommitted.
They claim to have questions, objections, problems with the faith. But in truth, they are unwilling to "come to the light". Why? Because it exposes their darkness. It shows the folly of their thinking; their selfishness is laid bare. And, most galling, their "goodness" is seen for what it is before God: "filthy rags".
Christ is the rejected light. But not due to anything in Him! His light is crystal-clear; it's bright enough to bathe a million galaxies with light. No, He is a rejected light because of something in us--an unwillingness to have our moral darkness exposed...and enlightened.
CHRIST IS A RECEIVED LIGHT
Vv.10-11 stand in sharp contrast with vv.12-13. In the former, the Light is rejected; in the latter, it is received. Most "do not know Him or receive Him". But some do.
How do you account for the difference?
John anticipates the likely answers, and rebuts them. The difference, he assures us, is:
1."Not of bloods". It is not one's heritage that enables him to receive the light. The Jews of the First Century thought otherwise. They assumed that because they were Abraham's offspring, they had a right to God's favor. Their near-universal rejection of Christ put the lie to that idea.
2."Nor of the will of the flesh". It is not one's choice that makes him see the light. For everyone has sinned, and so, has already chosen against the light. As long as they remain in sin, they neither will nor can choose differently. They are impaled on the horns of a dilemma: the only way to see the light is to quit their sins; but the only way to quit their sins is to see the light. No man receives Christ by the exercise of "free will".
3."Nor of the will of man". No one can make you see the light. They can describe the beauty of Christ; prove your need of Him; lure you with the promise of heaven; scare you with the threat of hell, yet all of these efforts (though good in themselves) can never make you receive the light.
John has demolished every hope; every hope, but one. Some people do receive the light and bask in His blessedness. Who are they? They are the ones, "born of God". Only God can give you the eyes to see Christ; only God can give you the mind to understand Christ; only God can give you the heart to love Christ; only God can give you the will to believe in Christ.
Where does this leave us?
Right where we need to be: dependent on God.
If you see the light, bless God for your vision! "Flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but my Father in heaven" spoke the Lord Jesus. Never despise others for their blindness. For you were once blind, too.
If you don't see the light, beg God to open your eyes. He can. He will. "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law".
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