Episode 4 - In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind

By now it should be obvious that one of my goals is for you to see the strong association John is making between “the Word” and the God spoken of in Genesis 1 who created the spheres of life and the plant, animal, and human life within them as well as everything necessary to sustain that physical life.

One of the important things for life to exist is light. For example, light is required for photosynthesis to occur. Photosynthesis is the way green plants make food. In the beginning, according to Genesis 1:2, the universe was dark and chaotic with no apparent life forms at all apart from God.

The first thing God does is to create light. Then, He separates the light from the darkness and calls the light “good.” What does that indicate about the darkness?

So, as we continue reading this introduction, John says, “In him was life . . .” Genesis 1 says that God was the one who possessed and gave life. John 1 draws another connection of the Word to the Creator, life-giving God of Genesis 1. The focus in Genesis 1 is clearly more on the creation of life itself. The Greek word used in John 1:4 for life certainly is often intended to speak of life itself. But, it can also be translated as the sustenance of life. As we continue through John, ask yourself if John is also demonstrating the Word as one that sustains life.

John’s thoughts concerning the Word expands quickly to say that “the life (in the Word) was the light of men/mankind.” He says more about the light in the following verse. But, stop here and write some of your own thoughts on why John says this. Why is this important? Why is it important for the Word which has life be light for mankind?