John 1:4-9 4 In him (Christ) was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
I. Context
a. Light and life are common themes throughout John’s gospel
b. Both terms are common in Old Testament in reference to the law (torah) and wisdom; now John ties them to Christ, the Word
II. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men…
a. In context with v. 3, this light and life includes the physical realm (c.f. Genesis 1:3, Colossians 1:15-20)
b. In context with vv. 5 & 9-13, light and life go beyond the physical and reveal Christ (the Word) as the source for eternal life (c.f. John 3:16-21, 10:10, 14:6)
III. Vv. 6-8—The light bearer
a. Reference to John the Baptist
b. John bore witness to the light
i. Not the light himself— v. 3:30—he was increase, but I must decrease
c. We are to follow John’s example
i. We speak and act in such a way that we are point others to Christ (are you allowing yourself to reflect God’s light to others?)
ii. We serve Christ (through the Church) so as to draw attention to Christ and not to ourselves (what are your motives for serving in the church)
