January 27, 2022 – Thursday
John 1:5-9 NIV
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
Comment.
In the first four verses of John 1, which we covered yesterday, there was one mention of light. Today, in the next five verses, light is mentioned six times along with darkness twice. With so much to cover let us begin with what we have noted before, light and darkness are not opposites. Darkness is the absence of light, just as death is the absence of life.
Therefore, from verse five, as long as there is light, The light shines, darkness cannot overcome it. Notice verse five says The light, a single definite source (The) of light. Of course, The light is Jesus. And He shines in the darkness. Shines here is translated from G5316 phaino which turns out to be a prolongation (or continuation) for the base of the Greek 5457 phos – light! This only makes sense, for what does any light do, but shine and illuminate while always beating back the darkness. As long as there is any light, darkness cannot prevail.
Then there are verses six, seven, and eight, There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
It is there we learn what we knew from the first three gospels, John the Baptist was sent to testify about The light that is Jesus and that he (John) was not the light. John did his best to lead people to Jesus and just a witness takes the stand in a courtroom today to testify, then John took every opportunity to testify about Jesus. Who better to testify as he baptized Jesus and was there when (Matthew 3:16-17), As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
All of which leads us to verse nine, The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. What was meant by The true light? Barnes’ Notes on the Bible answers the question, Jesus was not a false, uncertain, dangerous guide, but was one that was true, real, steady, and worthy of confidence. A false light is one that leads to danger or error, as a false beacon on the shores of the ocean may lead ships to quicksands or rocks; or an “ignis fatuus” to fens, and precipices, and death. A true light is one that does not deceive us, as the true beacon may guide us into port or warn us of danger. Christ does not lead astray. All false teachers do. The KJV of the ninth verse reads, That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Most versions have something like the NIC gives light to everyone, but I particularly like the KJV where it says, which lighteth every man.
Once again a question, what does it mean to give light to everyone or to light every man? The short answer is He brings light that removes darkness, error and ignorance form the mind. Not just to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well. Further, not just for that time period, but He would continue to do so throughout time until He returns. His light continues to overcome the darkness no matter how much effort the darkness has exerted to eliminate His Light.
Prayer: Father God, Light and Life from You and Your Son, the One who provided to light the way for us, to show us the way home to You.– In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek
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