sermonsonjohn

John 1:3-5

The Word - in vv.1,2 John has described his relationship to time and to God: he was there in the beginning, with God, because he is God. Those verses teach us a great deal.

But John has so much more to say about the Word! In these verses, he is going to explore the relationship between the Word and Creation, between the Word and mankind and between the Word and darkness. Again, what we will see here is a foretaste of what is seen throughout this gospel and is foundational for our understanding of Jesus and the world today.

1. The Word and Creation (v.3)
John has deliberately echoed Genesis 1:1 as he began this gospel and now in verse 3 he opens up for us how the Word relates to creation.

What he says is comprehensive and profound: through the Word, all created things were made. And just in case we haven't got that, he puts it negatively too: "without him, nothing was made that has been made".

In the NT, we often read of how God created 'through' Jesus. He was the Father's instrument in creating. And as you read in Gen 1:2 of God's Spirit hovering over the waters, it becomes clear that all 3 members of the godhead were actively involved in creation. They acted together as partners in the creative act.

This says some important things to us:

i) Creation is not inherently evil. A good God made all things. Yes, the world is now a fallen place but we must hold onto a biblical understanding of creation as being made good (that's what God said when he made it). As Christians, we must not despise or ignore what God has made. He is so concerned for it that he is in the business of remaking it!

ii) The Word (God) is separate from his creation. Many religions, including the modern New Age movement, say that God is in creation, a part of it. That's why many stress the need to 'get one with nature'. But this verse knocks that idea on the head. He made all things and is distinct from all created things. Nature does not contain its creator. Whilst it is right for us to have a healthy respect for this world - as made by God - we must not deify it. Our calling is to look at this universe and to see everywhere the glory of God.

In this gospel, we see something of the Word's relationship to creation as Jesus performs miracles: water into wine, healings, walking on the water and so forth. He is over creation because he made it.

iii) The Word is pre-eminent over creation. Sometimes it doesn't seem that way but he is and he will one day be seen as such (see Col 1).

2. The Word, Life & Light (v.4)
John then tells us about the Word that "in him was life". Life did not come into being through him, as the creation did. He possessed life in himself. All life proceeds from God. He has it in himself. Life is of the very essence of God.

This gives us a big picture of what life is. Life is more than the physical functioning of the world and the creatures God has made. Life has to do with God and his being, with the relationships in the Trinity. It has to do with knowing him and relating to him. Life is so much more than drawing breath.

In the rest of this gospel, the term 'life' means 'eternal life'. So the question is asked, Is that how John is using it here? If eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ whom he sent, then, yes, this life is eternal life.

He gives life to his creation but that life has most significance to mankind as the pinnacle of that creation. And so John says that "that life was the light of men". Now here's a phrase to ponder!

Some have suggested that this refers to natural intelligence but keeping in mind what we have seen about life so far, it is more than that, although that is included. Again, pictures of creation spring to mind here: And God said. Let there be light! The Word, as life, brings light, to the world and especially to mankind.

Jesus is at the centre of the universe as the great Creator. He possesses life in himself and all good comes from him. The only light for mankind is in this God. Without him, all is darkness, all is hopeless. To have his light is to have his life.

3. The Word and the Darkness (v.5)
As we think about this world and mankind, it is very clear that all is not goodness and light. mankind lives in darkness, having physical life but not life in all its fullness. That is what Jesus came to bring! All who follow him have the light of life.

Life is all about knowing God. But in this fallen world of sin, he is not known, he is only dimly perceived. Yet this gospel is going to be all about how the Word became flesh to bring people into his light, to share his life.

But right here John lets us know that there is a problem. This world is a place of terrible darkness, where darkness means life without God and in rebellion against him.

But the battle between light and darkness, between God and the forces of evil, is not an evenly matched contest! Yes, the battle is real, the symptoms of darkness in this world are terribly ugly and destructive of all that God made. But that isn't the full story!

You see, still "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" (which is probably the better translation). From the rebellion of Satan and then the fall of mankind into sin, this universe has been at odds with its creator, trying to go its own way, trying to dethrone him. But it did not, it has not, it will not succeed! The darkness has not overcome the Word.

As John opens up the story of Jesus for us, we see that conflict. It comes to a head when Jesus is betrayed ("Now is the hour of darkness") and is crucified on the cross. Yet, wonder of all wonders, in the purposes of God, that is also the time when darkness will be decisively defeated ("Now the prince of this world is driven out").

The darkness has not overcome the light and will not. That should give us great comfort as the Lord's people and energise us for our daily life as we seek to witness for him, as we pray for others to be rescued out of the darkness and to be brought into his marvellous light.

So let us live in the light of the fact that this is his world, that all life comes from him and that true life in its fullness is to know him. And let us life secure in the knowledge that still his light shines and the darkness has not overcome it and will not do so. Amen!

posted by minternational @ 2:37 AM