John 1:9-15
HE CAME TO BRING LIGHT
The Bible begins with God, already existing and quickly moves on to what he did. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. In verse three, we see that God shared his light. Without his presence and sharing there was darkness. It is not until verse sixteen that he gave the Sun, moon and stars, and with them their light. The light earlier was because of his own light, thus we are told it will be in heaven. We see glimpses of that earlier light in the light we glimpse on the opening of the tabernacle and temple, in the pillar of fire that led the Children of Israel in their wilderness wanderings, and on Mt Sinai where Moses was forced to wear a veil after being in God’s presence; then once again when Saul of Tarsus was blinded for a time by it.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
(1 John 2:8)
HIS OWN REFUSED HIM
I remember, as a child, being fascinated by the stories about David Livingstone. Years later, I was privileged to visit the home of his father in law and to preach in communities where he had preached years ago. Recently I found and devoured the text of his actual journal of his first crossing the wilderness to the eastern coast of Africa.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
(1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2)
Not until after Jesus arose from the dead did the very people who had been prepared to accept him with prophet after prophet’s messages, accept him in any number, and even now it is a delight when they read the Gospel of Matthew and realize that those prophecies were fulfilled.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
HE GAVE POWER TO THOSE WHO BELIEVED
Because of God’s great love for his creation, he finally sent his own son to open the doors of heaven wide. But, note two qualifying statements in this verse, however. One, they, of their own will must receive him. It is not universal, all must, as Peter worded it, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38) Philip said much the same to the Ethiopian, when he asked, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38) As God made everything he created perfect and the way he meant it to remain, he also demonstrated in these two texts what baptism is, even today and until he returns to read the names he has entered into the Book of Life. The eunuch had to hear, believe, repent, confess before men, and be dipped in the water of baptism. Don’t for a moment assume that this wealthy man, the treasurer of the Treasury of Ethiopia, was travelling alone. He would have been accompanied by a charioteer, and an armed security estcourt.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
(John 11:52, Galatians 3:26, John 1:7, John 3:18, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:13)
Yes, if you believe on Him that he is the Son of God, you have the power to be saved, but it is up to you. Will you?
THIS IS NOT OF MEN, BUT OF GOD
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.
(John 3:5f, James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23)
God’s love reaches out to all, and he wants to adopt us all, but he gave us the freedom of choice, so we have to open the door of our heart to him. (Revelation 3:20, 21) “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
(John 1:17, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 18:37)
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
JOHN WAS THE FORERUNNER
NOW IT IS OUR TURN TO CARRY THE TORCH AS IN A RELAY RACE.
Do not drop the torch. Carry the light proudly.
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