“And the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not put it out” (John 1:5)
Most translations will put a small “l” at the front of the word “light”. By doing so I think they miss the point of John’s intent. The light that shines in the darkness is not an energy source, as the light that emanates from the sun. Nor is it reflected light from that which we might see from the moon or stars. John’s words in these first 5 verses are very descriptive: Word, Creator (not stated though implied), Life, Light. John is not describing words in abstract terms, as if he is writing a theological treatise. His words find their life, their meaning in a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Catch the awe that gripped His life, that never left Him. “Who was from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our eyes, and we have looked upon and our hands have touched concerning the Word of Life … We’ve seen, we witness and proclaim to you the eternal Life who was with the Father and revealed to us” (I Jn.1:1-2). It was as if John’s eyes sparkled and his voice quivered at the mere mention of His name.
John was no stranger to his heart’s condition before he met this One. (IJn.1:6,9,10)
- “If we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and the truth is not in us”
- “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”
- “if we say we have not sinned, we call Him a liar and His word is not in us”
The descriptive words: darkness, lies, sin, self-deception are not something external to him. John is clear that they are found within us or as the apostle Paul phrases it, “we were dead in our trespasses and sins” (Eph.2:1). Just as death cannot beget life, so also darkness cannot bring forth light.
John understood his predicament. To live in self-denial and declare something other than what the Word of God declares is to continue to embrace the darkness. But to be encountered by the Lord of Life, to be embraced by His transforming Presence, to be enveloped in His Light, to experience the Forgiver of sins is to be brought out of darkness and into His marvelous Light (Col.1:13).
Why cannot the darkness extinguish the Light? Because Jesus is the very essence of Light. He is the epitome of Light. He is Light and no one, devil or human can ever extinguish His Light. “I am the Light of the world” (Jn.8:12).
John understood that to be fully embraced by the Lord of Life and Light is to have darkness dispelled, life imparted and truth released. No longer is the need to walk in the shadows, afraid of disclosure, for the one who follows the Christ “will not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (Jn.8:12). As said elsewhere, “God is Light and in Him there is no darkness … if we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin (I Jn.1:5,7).
John understood that the only remedy for his darkness was to be embraced by the Lord of Life and Light. As the eternal Word, the everlasting God, the Lord of Life and Light invited John to Himself, so also goes out the same invitation to all who will hear and respond. “Come unto Me …” (Mt.11:28). If you have never “tasted and seen that the Lord is good,” (Ps.34:8), why not open up your life to Him, ask Him to forgive you of your sins. He will embrace you with His Life, His Light, His Love. You won’t regret your decision.
Blessing!
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