The Word became flesh: looking again at Jesus VI

A sermon from John 1.1-14: Part VI
In him was life and that life was the light of all people. (v. 4) The source of life was in him, in the Word, God’s Logos. God made us, by his Word. He sustains us by his Word. He gives us the light of life, the brightness of being alert and active, the illumination of knowing and seeing. If we enjoy shining a little ourselves, it is not because we generate our own light; at best we reflect this original gift as the moon reflects the sun.

Then in verse 5 comes the first hint of a problem, the first stirrings of the tension that will drive all of John’s narrative. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Here, the first shadow has fallen across the plot. There is a darkness that stands against this light. Even though all things were made through the Word, who is also the light, yet there is darkness. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There is an implicit threat to life, to light, to God’s good conversation, but this threat will not extinguish the God and his Word who have been there since the beginning.

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. (vv. 6-8) Suddenly in verse 6 we have two new elements introduced. First, we’re brought into historical time. No longer are we still in the beginning; we’ve entered into a particular point at which there was a man. Second, we meet this man, God’s messenger, whose name was John. We’ll soon find this John is not the author, but another John: John the Baptiser. John the author wants to make sure we’re not confused; this baptiser is not himself the light, even though he is from God. He is a signpost, pointing away from himself, saying “look – over there!” We’ll be hearing more about John the Baptist from Mike in two weeks’ time.
Picture by JKS. Ten points for the Australian location (region will suffice).
Series: I; II; III; IV; V; VI; VII; VIII; IX; X.