John 1:3-5 (ESV) All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
We began a study here in the first chapter of John on December 3 and would like to continue with that.
The prologue of John, the first 18 verses, lays the foundation for all that comes afterward. We saw the first two verses spoke of Jesus’ preexistence, that there has never been a time when the Word (Jesus) did not exist. He is the Son, second Person of the eternal God, Yahweh.
Now I’d like to continue with the next three verses. Verse 3 tells us Jesus is the Creator and nothing was made by any Other. This is very similar to Colossians 1:16-18:
For by [JESUS] 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.
John along with Paul, the writer of Colossians, are both telling us Jesus is God, the Creator of all things.
Verse 4 of John chapter 1 supports verse 3 to show in Jesus alone was life. He created life itself and created creatures like you and me with that life. And the fact that life [Jesus] was the light of men tells us beforehand Jesus is the light of the world, that He is bringing a new light not clearly seen in the Old Testament. This is the gospel, the new contract (testament) God is making with man. No longer will we be under the Law but under grace.
Jesus Himself says this later in John’s gospel:
John 9:5 (ESV) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
He also tells us He has turned this responsibility over to us. We are to be the light now (Matt. 5:14). It is our job to spread the light every chance we get.
Next is John 1:5 – The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Did you know light is something and darkness is nothing; it is the absence of light.
“Photography” is a word meaning light drawing. Digital sensors or photographic film will not record darkness. It is absent. The photographer “draws” only with the light reflected by the object. For us to refuse the light Jesus gives is to stand in darkness, to not see the subject, the truth, the light.
Why is this important?
To understand the very nature of God is the ultimate quest for man. The God we have living within us carries that light and we can share that light to ignite a candle in another so to speak.
In a totally dark room, a candle can be lit and the darkness cannot affect that candle. The flame, however, brings light that can be measured anywhere in that room. It drives darkness from the room. That small light, like the light in each of us, touches every part of the room. No longer is there darkness, and the closer you get to the candle, the brighter the light.
In photography we have what’s called The Inverse Square Rule.” It says light increases exponentially the closer you get to the source. If you measure the light from a candle from 10 feet, the light will be four times brighter in half that distance or nine times brighter in one third the distance. The closer we bring someone to Jesus, the closer Jesus comes to them. The clearer they can see Him. It’s exponential.
Jesus has told us we are the light of the world. When we stand in the midst of darkness, it is His light in us that can drive darkness away.
Believers Armed and Dangerous 