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.

Episode 6 - Telling Others About the Light

John 1:6-8

John 1:6   There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The Apostle John pauses momentarily from his discussion about the Word and tell us about another person named John. We often refer to this person as John the Baptist. There are a few things the author wants us to understand about him before we actually meet him in this story.

First, he was “a man sent from God.” Already, we have a sense that he is important. 

Second, God sent him for a specific purpose of telling others about the “light” so that “all might believe through him.” Isn’t it interesting that God decided to send a man to tell others about the light so that all might believe in him? It would seem to me that God didn’t need John the Baptist to do testify about someone with the kind of power and ability. It would simply be evident if that person demonstrated that power and illuminated people’s understanding of God’s nature and work.  Personally, I find it exciting that God would choose to use a man to tell others about what God is doing. More on that later.

The third thing we can learn about John the Baptist from the author is that John was NOT the light; only a person to “bear witness about the light.” Nowhere in this book does the author suggest that John has divine nature. He is not equated with God as is the Word. He’s just a man sent from God.

 One of my favorite qualities of this book is the humility of the author and the humility we will see in John the Baptist. How he will compare himself to the Word is no small difference.

These facts about John the Baptist should provoke in us the question of whether God might want to use us to tell others about His “light.” What would you do if you understood that to be true? Would you do it?

Episode 5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness

John 1:5

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

I’ve had the privilege of going on 10-day backpacking adventures with each of my sons at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Christo range of the Rocky Mountains. There are a number of rules that every backpacker must know and follow for the purpose of safety. One of those rules is “No hiking while it’s dark.” Why? One reason is that you might fall down a mountain or go somewhere where it might be difficult for others to locate you and to direct help. Another reason is that it could be easier to inadvertently encounter dangerous wildlife such as bears or lions. The bottom line is that it’s dangerous to journey in darkness.

Conversely, having good light available means that our path is illuminated and we can more easily chart our course. The added benefit is that we can see the beauty of what is around us. When it comes to physical light, we understand that it’s good and we enjoy its benefits.

The creation of light in Genesis, chapter one is the first step in a solution to the problem of “darkness” and the chaotic condition of the earth mentioned in verse two of Genesis. 

John 1:5 however does not appear to be talking about physical light. What does John mean by “the light shines in the darkness” when he has already established that his subject is “the Word” which is the God who created all things and in whom is life and is the light of mankind? It should be obvious that John, having turned the minds of his audience to the Creation story of Genesis 1, is using light as a metaphor for some quality or ability of the Word to illuminate something else for mankind. Perhaps it is “truth.” 

If the “light shines in the darkness,” then “darkness,” borrowing from the Creation story, represents chaos among mankind. The chaos in the darkness should be understood as mankind’s condition in which they cannot journey through life safely without this light. It also means that they cannot enjoy the beauty that surrounds them. We need God’s light to illuminate our way in life. When God’s light is shining in our darkness, we can then see the beauty of God and what He is doing. We need to know Who God is and what He is like. We need a clear revelation of God. It would seem that the point here is that John is telling us that the Word is that revelation.

But, that’s not all. John then says that the “darkness has not overcome it (the light).” In the original language, the word that is translated “overcome” could also mean “understood.” So, what is it? Has the darkness not overcome the light or has the darkness not understood the light? Bible scholars will tell you that it’s not reasonable or safe to look up every possible meaning of a word or phrase and interpret it to mean all of the above. But, as we’ll see in the Gospel of John, the author clearly intends some “double-entendre.” That is he wants his audience to ponder both meanings. I believe that is happening here. As John unfolds his story, we’ll see that many people will not truly understand “the light.” We will also see that the darkness will not overcome the light. We’ll see how darkness not only represents a lack of understanding but also evil. 

As for right now, take comfort in knowing that God has revealed himself to mankind. God wants people to walk safely in the light and to enjoy His beauty.

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?

Episode 2 - John 1:1-2 "In the beginning was the Word . . . "

Take a look at the highlighting or marked-up text of the first two verses of John’s gospel shown below. The purpose is to demonstrate the repetition that occurs within these first two verses. What is the purpose of repetition in any form of communication? It is to emphasize something the communicator considers important, isn’t it? What do you think John wants to emphasize to his audience? The focus is on “the Word.” I would encourage you to write out ideas you have about the repetition in this text and what the author is wanting to communicate to his audience. Here are some questions and points for your consideration concerning this text.

What does the author mean “In the beginning . .  ?” (Hint: Read Genesis 1 at the beginning of your Bible)

What or who is in that beginning? Does that have an implication for the identity of “the Word?”

What is a “word?” The Greek term used here is the word “logos.” How might people of John’s day understood what John was suggesting by placing “the Word” in the beginning?

If you’ve read the first chapter of Genesis, you understand that it is a story of God creating the universe, the earth, and the life forms within it. How does Genesis account for how God accomplishes this great feat? Do you see a connection with that and “the Word?”

Episode 1 - Preliminary Info on the Gospel of John - Read this first

• There are four books called “Gospels” in the New Testament or Christian Scriptures: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

• These books give accounts for the birth of a man known as Jesus of Nazareth; often referred to in the Christian Scriptures as Jesus Christ. He lived nearly 2000 years ago.

• Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “synoptic gospels” because they contain a lot of the same or similar information. It can be challenging, but rewarding seeking to understand what events are the same events recorded more than one of these books or what events may be different, but similar. John’s gospel has some events in the life of Jesus that are recorded only in this book. This book simply has a “different feel” to it than the other three Gospels.

• Critics in the 19th century into the early 20th century questioned the tradition that this was authored by a close ally of Jesus; arguing that it was produced a few hundred years after Jesus walked the earth. However, during the 20th century, an old fragment (Papyrus 52) was discovered that was dated in the early to mid second-century AD that lends evidence in this book that supports the earlier dating of John’s Gospel. Some church groups excluded this book from their worship and teaching as part of the Biblical Canon and have continued the practice; perhaps ignorant of the later evidence supporting the more ancient tradition. I view the accounts in this book as authentically from John the Apostle. There is continuity from the author’s opening statements in his introduction through the book that support his explicitly stated purpose for writing this book.

• The differences in the various gospel accounts often lend themselves to the themes and theology that is being emphasized by each respective author.

• There are two men of significance associated with Jesus named John. One was a fisherman by trade. He is the man to whom this book is attributed even though the author does not directly identify himself as John. The internal evidence within the book points to this man, who was a close friend of Jesus, as the author. The other man is known as John the Baptist.

• Before you begin the actual study, I would recommend that you read the very first chapter in the very first book of the Bible; the book entitled Genesis. John begins his book by drawing his readers' thoughts to the opening words of Genesis and the theme of Genesis chapter one will be a strong theme in John’s gospel.

• My other advice would be to write notes for yourself. Email questions to me and I’ll try to get back soon.

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