Light
Jesus is the Light of the World.
In his Prologue John is systematically revealing Christ. He uses two concepts: Light and Logos (Word/Reason). He starts at Transcendence: God before time - God who creates. Then he moves to Expectation: God is coming into the World! Finally he unpacks Immanence: God is near - He has entered our World.
John refers to Jesus as the light in three ways:
- Light at Creation: In the first part of the prologue, where he talks about the Glory of Christ before the creation of the world, John says: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of humankind. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
We often "fast-forward" to the Incarnation when we interpret these words. but we need to recognise that just as God said "Let there be Light" at the creation of the world, He also, by creating us in His image, was pouring His life and light into us. It's as though Christ put a lamp in each of our souls and lit it.
Adam and Eve did not understand their importance as light-bearers and, misled by Satan, tried to be like God and, in so doing, snuffed out the lamp in their souls. But the darkness could not overcome the light and we continued to long for the light.
- Light at Incarnation: John announced that the "Light was coming into the world..." By His Immanence (coming near) Jesus was the light that reignited the lamps of our souls. By His Birth, Death, Resurrection and Ascension Jesus is the One who is able to save and redeem us. He is the light that shines in our darkness.
- Light that gives light: "The True light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." Not only was Jesus the One who made us light-bearers at Creation, and not only did He re-light our lamps through His death and resurrection, but His life guides and leads us. He showed us how to live and love. He showed us how to shine.
Jesus is the light of the world!
| In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of humankind. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. (John1:1-9) |
