Yesterday we discussed the total authority of Jesus as fully God and the humility that led him to putting aside his power, not His authority, but His power when He became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is the incarnation of the one true God. Jesus was present at the beginning, He was the word by which the creation was accomplished, and is the curator by which all happens. He accomplished that for which He came in His death and resurrection offering a once and for all sacrifice that we hold onto as the cornerstone of our faith and the foundation of our hope in this church age.

Today, we’re discussing John 1:4-5, “in Him was life and the life was the light of men 5. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Throughout John’s gospel, John used the verb “belief” (pisteuo) 98 times, but he never uses the noun, “faith” (pistis). This indicates that John emphasizes the necessity of knowing Christ through an active, continual trust in the Lord, rather than simply resting on our moment of confession.

John introduces the reader to contrastive themes that occur throughout the gospel. Life and light are qualities of the Word that are shared not only among the Godhead (5:26) but also by those who respond to the gospel message regarding Jesus Christ (8:12; 9:5; 10:28; 11:25; 14:6).

John uses the word -“life” about 36 times in his gospel, far more than any other NT book. It refers not only in a broad sense to physical and temporal life that the Son imparted to the created world through His involvement as the agent of creation (v 3), but especially to spiritual and eternal life imparted as a gift through belief in Him (3:15; 17:3; Eph. 2:5).

In Scripture “light” and “darkness” are very familiar symbols. Intellectually, “light” refers to biblical truth while “darkness” refers to error or falsehood (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23). Morally, “light” refers to holiness or purity. (1 John 1:5) while “darkness” refers to sin or wrongdoing (3:19; 12:35,46; Rom. 13:11-14; 1 Thess. 5:4-7; 1 John 1:6; 2:8-11). “Darkness” has special significance in relationship to Satan (and his demonic co-horts) who rule the present spiritually dark world (1 John 5:19) as the “prince of the power of the air” promoting spiritual darkness and rebellion against God (Eph. 2:2).

John uses the term “darkness” 14 times (8 in the gospel and 6 in 1 John) out of its 17 occurrences in the NT, making it almost an exclusive Johannine word. In John, “light” and “life” have their special significance in relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word (v. 9; 9:5; 1 John 1:5-7;5:12,20)

Theologians differ on the interpretation of “comprehend” in v.5. John MacArthur writes that “when John writes that the darkness did not comprehend it, the better meaning of this term in context is “overcome.” Darkness is not able to overcome or conquer the light. Just as a single candle can overcome a room filled with darkness, so also the powers of darkness are overcome by the person and work of the Son through His death on the cross.”

John MacArthur teaches that the darkness could not overcome the light. In essence, the light was more powerful to drive the darkness away than the darkness was to consume the light, which is an equally accurate and scripturally sound doctrine. But, Jesus’ earthly ministry was shrouded with darkness and the schemes of Satan, culminating in His death on the cross. It would have seemed as though death won. God’s eternal plan and purpose were ultimately set in motion by the attempts of the Devil to destroy Messiah, and if you’re an Old Testament junkie you know that Christ’s second coming will be as the conquering King the Jews were expecting Jesus to be and exactly how and when He will come again in victory. In verse 5, given the context of John’s gospel, and using other scripture, I tend to side with the interpretation that the darkness could not understand the light. In verse 5 John neatly summarizes Jesus’ entire earthly ministry in one verse: Jesus brought His light into the world but He was not understood by the darkness. Jesus is revealing Himself to the world, but the world rejected Him.

In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 Paul writes an explanation to the way the gospel is veiled to unbelievers, stating, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” The god of this world blinds the spiritual eyes of friends and neighbors so that they are not able to see the light of the gospel. The darkness cannot comprehend it. Paul writes in Colossians that for those who God has ordained to see the light that, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and delivered us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14). Paul also explains in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

To those who have not seen the light it seems foolish. It seems as if we could contribute to our salvation. It seems like we could behave well enough, give enough money, or falsely believe that God is only love and not also judge over all our sin. But the light of the gospel reveals that there is only one name under Heaven, given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12) and that name is Jesus Christ.

The first half of John 1:5 is written in the present tense, while the second half is written in the past tense. The revelation of God in Jesus Christ is forever available and therefore shines without end. It was not limited to Jesus’ first visit on earth but is everlasting. The second half of the verse refers to the response Jesus received during His first coming. He was rejected as Messiah, the unbelieving hearts of men did not comprehend the message of the gospel in Jesus Christ.

I’m not sure what this December has in store for you. I don’t know if the presents are bought and wrapped or you’re unsure of how you’ll have presents on time for Christmas morning. I’m not sure if you’re healthy or enduring a seasonal or more serious illnesses in your family. On this day, two years ago, was the last time I saw my grandpa before the day we held his hand and sang hymns while the Lord gently led him home on Christmas Eve 2021. What I do know is that the next morning my grandpa celebrated his first Christmas at the feet of the savior whose death made my grandpa’s salvation and eternal life possible. What I do know is that you can live out life and light to those around you this holiday by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. The darkness may not understand the light but it cannot overcome it.

My prayer for you is that you receive the greatest gift ever given: salvation by grace, through faith, this holiday season.