As we continue in John’s Gospel and in particular in his prologue, he brings out the main themes of the whole letter. Last week we were introduced to Jesus Christ: the Word, God Himself, and the Light. Now we see how Jesus intersects with our lives as we study God’s offer in Jesus and our possible responses. If we understand His offer and how we and others can and do respond, we can make the positive choice to receive His offer.
God’s Offer
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 (John 1:6-9, NIV).
After the introduction of Jesus, God breaks into our lives in a clear and dramatic fashion. He sent John the Baptist as a precursor to Jesus. It was God’s initiative, method, message, person, and purpose.
God wanted people to know the good news so He announced it. John, like us, gives his testimony of the Lord and relates what he has seen and heard.
That is the key of witnessing is passing on accurately the things we know to be true.
John as a person is God’s instrument. He was not the light but reflected it, much like the moon reflects the sun. It is our role as well as we are Jesus’ witnesses and speak by His power (Acts 1:8).
The message is all about the Light, which is repeated twice. Jesus is the True Light, meaning what is genuine, real, original and all other lights are derivative.
Like the moon reflects the sun, the sun reflects the Son of God.
Jesus gives light to everyone - their reasoning, sense of meaning, morality - really all that makes us human.
The message was not just about the light but that the light was actually coming into the world.
All these things lead to the purpose so that everyone might believe.
The verses set up what seems to be an ideal situation -
“God testifies through people, Jesus gives light to everyone.”
God really wants people to believe in His Son. It is exciting for us to be a part as His witnesses in this process.
Our Responses
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 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. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:1-13, NIV).
We sense the shock of the these verses in the general rejection of Jesus but also hope that not all do this. Finally, we see the overwhelmingly different final outcomes of the result of our responses.
This rejection is a theme of the gospel and explains how the message is true but that the factor of darkness must be considered.
“Jesus as Creator came to His world.”
People should recognize His characteristics but do not. He also should have been accepted by the Jews who shared even more with Him in their culture and outlook but they rejected Him too. Why is that?
In John 3:18-20, we see how the darkness, a love for evil and a fear of being wrong, clouds people’s thinking so they reject the clear truth about the Lord.
But this is not true of everyone at all times. We, who were in the darkness, now view our Lord differently.
The offer of God in Jesus is accepted as we trust in Him. It is propositional truth but even more a personal offer of Jesus Christ and what will we do with Him.
The unexpected result of receiving His offer is becoming a child of God, sharing in His life and being made new.
Much like a physical birth where we share the traits of our parents, now God has caused us to be born again to have new motives, desires, and perspectives from Him.
The final result of our response to His offer is very stark. Some stubbornly remain in the darkness. Others become His children in the light.
Where are you at this point? Where do you want to be?
As believers we can rejoice in the wonder of the good news of Jesus and how God works. We can be that witness to others of God’s work in us.
If you have not trusted in Jesus and received Him, what is holding you back? His offer and open arms are there for you to take for yourself.
