1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].
John 1:1-5 (AMP)
The Creator
We’ve been looking at how Jesus is God and as God, is creator of all things. “All things were made and came into existence through Him” says verse 3. The Word created visible light in Genesis 1: 3-5. Jesus created life as well, starting in Genesis 1:20 (and Genesis 2:7). To top it off, Colossians 1:17 tells us that, “by Him all things hold together”. So He is creator and sustainer.
The Source
In verse 4 John transitions to the source of Life and Light. All life and light comes from and originates in Him. “It isn’t that the Word ‘contains’ life and light; He is life and light.” (enduringword.com) Life is the most essential part of creation and He is the source. Life is another key word in John’s gospel; he uses it 36 times. (John 5:26, 6:33, 11:25 to name a few.) In v4, John is alluding to (if not directly talking about) here is spiritual life, which Jesus is also the source of.
Likewise, He created visible light but John is now talking about light that symbolizes knowledge and understanding. “He who is essential life, and the giver of life to all that liveth, was also the light of men; the fountain of wisdom, holiness, and happiness, to man in his original state.” (Wesley’s commentary) We saw yesterday He came to reveal or explain who God is. And in Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus told us that we are the light of the world! Are we revealing and explaining to the world who God is?
Light into Darkness
This Light entered the darkness. Jesus entered our world and brought light, understanding of God. But the darkness rejected Him. “Throughout these introductory verses, John was clearly hinting at parallels between what Jesus did physically in the Creation, and what He did spiritually through the Incarnation. These parallels continue throughout the Gospel, as do the figures of light and darkness. Light represents both revelation and salvation. Likewise darkness stands for ignorance and sin (3:19-20; 8:12; 12:35, 46).” (planobiblechapel.org)
