John 1:1-18
The True Light of Goodness Came to Dwell Among Us Full of Grace and Truth
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all 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 everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Light and Darkness are used in the Bible as a Scriptural Contrast...The contrast between Light and darkness is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture, symbolizing spiritual realities...Light is a Symbol of Good...God's Presence is the Light...Light often represents God's Presence, His glory, and revelation...Truth and Knowledge are seen in the Light...Light signifies Truth, wisdom, and understanding...
We see salvation and redemption in the Light...The coming of Christ is often depicted as the dawning of a New Light, dispelling the darkness of sin and death...
On the other hand, darkness is also a symbol...Sin and Evil are symbols of darkness , sin, ignorance, and spiritual death...There are those who are defined as spiritually blind...Those dwelling in darkness are spiritually blind to God's Truth...In the darkness there is an evil and satanic influence...Darkness is often associated with the forces of evil...
There is this battle between Light and darkness...There is a battle between good and evil...The biblical narrative is essentially a cosmic struggle between light and darkness, good and evil...Christians are called to be "children of light" (Ephesians 5:8), living in accordance with God's Will and shining forth His Glory in a dark world...
The Old Testament frequently uses light as a metaphor for God's Presence, guidance, and salvation...The Old Testament frequently uses Light as a metaphor for God's Presence, guidance, and salvation...Isaiah's prophecies of a coming Light foreshadow the Messiah...These passages, particularly Isaiah 9:2 and 60:1-3, speak of a coming Light that will dispel darkness and bring redemption...The Imagery of Light in both the Old and New Testaments highlights the transformative power of God's revelation and the hope it brings...The Hope of the One who is the Light of this World...
Isaiah wrote that the people walking in darkness have seen a great Light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a Light has dawned...Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon You...See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon You and His Glory appears over You...Nations will come to your Light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn...
The Psalms teach us also about the Light of the world through imagery...So we read in the Psalms also employ a Light imagery to describe God's protective and guiding presence...The LORD is my Light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?...The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?...Psalm 119:105: Your word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light for my path...
Light symbolizes the transformative power of God's revelation, dispelling darkness and bringing hope...These passages by the Prophet Isaiah and the Psalmist foreshadow the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described as the "Light of the World" in the New Testament (John 8:12)...John 1:4-5 reads: In Him is life, and that life is the Light of all mankind...The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...