The True Light

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

THE TRUE LIGHT

John 1:6-9

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.  

NIV

Although this is, in some sense, a historical record of the purpose of John the Baptist, it does not give us much detail of his life as some of the other gospels do. The Apostle John is not as concerned about those details as he is showing the divine nature of Jesus. He makes sure we know that the life of John the Baptist had one purpose and that was to be a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through that light, Jesus, all men might believe. We should note right here, the word says, “all men”. The Greek word is there which is translated all, every, the whole. This has a distinct meaning, in that Jesus did not come into the world so that just those who were elected could believe, but that all men. This also gives us the first insight within this gospel account that Jesus came into the world for both Jew and Gentile, as both would be within the word, “all”. The Apostle John will make that very clear later in his account when he uses those words, “For God so loved the world” and then that other word, “whosoever”. It is clear John the Baptist was here to testify about Jesus. We are also told Jesus is the true light that gives light to every man. This translation has some differences from some of the other translations, however, it also has the footnotes that this phrase could be seen as how some others have worded it. So the direct words of the Greek interlinear are, “Was the light the true which lights every man who comes into the world”. We believe there is a huge difference in how that is said. If we use this translation that Jesus is the one who is coming into the world who gives light to every man. If we use the Greek as well as other translations then Jesus is the true light who gives light to every man who comes into the world. This then brings that light to every generation after those who were there when Jesus came into the world. However, either way, Jesus is the true light, there is no other light, or there is no other way to see the truth unless we see through the light of Jesus. All other lights, those other religions, beliefs, philosophies, ideologies, have no real light, whatever light they may have is nothing more than a dim little night light when compared to the light of Jesus. But even then any light those things might have cannot overpower the darkness of sin in a man’s life, as Jesus does. We are so thankful the light came into the world so that we, who are one of many men, could believe. We are convinced, without the light, we would be dead in our darkness for all eternity. Using a well-known phrase, we have seen the light. Our eyes have been opened, our heart has been opened, we have the light within.