Episode 7 - He was in the world . . . yet the world did not know him.

In our last episode, the Apostle John introduced us to John the Baptist. The apostle tells us that God had sent John the Baptist for the purpose of testifying to others about the “light which shines in the darkness” and which the darkness could not overcome. (Recall from two episodes ago that John possibly intended a double-entendre with the word translated “overcome” because it could also mean “understand/comprehend.”) 

This episode continues speaking of the “light.”  In verses 9-10, we read, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”

I’d like to temporarily draw your mind back to the Creation account in Genesis 1 when in verse two the condition of the universe is chaotic and dark and God speaks light into existence. But, then Moses says that God separated the light from the darkness and called the light good. There is a judgment by God in Genesis 1 that implies that darkness is bad by separating light from it and calling it good. 

Now, John is saying that the life-giving light which was involved in the creation of all things is shining in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome (or understood) it. Looking at our text for this episode, John tells us that there is a “darkness” in this world. But, the true light is shining into the darkness of this world. What does he mean by “true light?”

It would seem that sources of light in the creation account are the sun, the moon, and the stars. The moon itself is not really even a true source of light since it only reflects the sun’s light. But, the sun and the stars are created themselves. They had a beginning and will have an end. It would seem to be that the true light is eternal. Furthermore, it can illuminate all things at all times. It’s important to notice that John continues by saying the true light “gives light to everyone.” Does that mean that everyone enjoys the lights, understands and welcomes the light? As we’ll see soon, the clear answer is “no.” But, the true light has exposed the darkness in which people dwell. 

How does the true light accomplish that? The light actually came into the world. He is not a star which is so far away. John says here that he was coming into the world and he was in the world. The true light came close and was present with people.

Next, John tells us “the world (into which he came) was made by him.” This reemphasizes that the true light and the Word are one and the same because John has already that that not one thing that has been made has been made apart from him (the Word). The Creator has come into his own creation. 

At the end of verse 10 however, we discover that “the world did not know him.” How could this be? How tragic! I believe this helps us get a picture of how bad and chaotic the darkness of this world really is; that people cannot or will not recognize the One who created them, gave them life and brought true light to their (our) dark world.