2009 Sep. 15, John 1, 9 ~ 18

John 1:9-18 (New International Version)

⁹The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ¹³children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " ¹⁶From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. ¹⁷For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Footnotes:

1. John 1:9 Or This was the true light that gives light to every man who comes into the world
2. John 1:13 Greek of bloods
3. John 1:14 Or the Only Begotten
4. John 1:18 Or the Only Begotten
5. John 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only (or only begotten) Son

I. Message:

Content:

1. Jesus Christ is the true light to the world (v.9)
2. Jesus Christ was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him (.10-11)
3. To those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born of God. (v. 12-13)
4. The Word became flesh and was full of grace and truth. (v.14)
5. John testifies concerning Jesus Christ (v. 15-18)

Theme: the Word became flesh

II. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Holy Spirit?

1. Jesus Christ is light to the world (v.9)
2. Jesus Christ is Word becoming flesh (v.9, 10, 14)
3. Jesus Christ the creator (v.10)
4. Jesus Christ rejected by the world (v11)
5. Jesus Christ with authority (v12)
6. God who grants rebirth (v13)
7. Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth (v14, 17)
8. Jesus Christ who is full of glory (v14)
9. Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God (v14, 18)
10. God, the father of Jesus Christ
11. God who is unseen, invisible to human eyes (v.18)
12. God manifested through Jesus Christ (v18)

III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1) The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (v9)

Jesus Christ is the true light, light of life. When He became flesh, He gives light to all men. This has a two-fold significance:

1. It reveals the sinful nature of men:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (3:19-20)

2. The light leads men on the right path:

Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. (12:35-36)

Reflection:

Having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of my life, have I been completely freed from sin, and the life of darkness? Have I been continually living in Christ’s truth and light?

2) Jesus was rejected (v10-11)

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (v10-11) Although Jesus Christ was the true light to all men, but the world in which he came into was full of darkness and sins, therefore rejected him. The world and men were his creation, but his own created sadly rejected him. This is the true nature of men. Men did not recognize him, did not receive him and did not believe him.

Reflection:

As a Christian, do I truly know who is Jesus? Do I believe in him, and receive him? Does my heart continue to refuse Christ? Have I been keeping Jesus out of my home and my church?

3) Privilege to be children of God (v12)

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (v12) John subsequently talked about the special privilege granted by God to men. That is “all who receive him, believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Therefore, all who believe in Jesus Christ, they immediately enjoy the noble status as the children of God. They receive the inheritance God has prepared for his children.

Reflection:

Am I proud of being God’s child? Do I cherish this privilege?

4) Rebirth and salvation(v13)

Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (v13)

Apostle John teaches, on the one hand, whoever receive Christ, believe in his name are not born of carnal desire nor of human will, but is born of God. In other words, he is born of the Holy Spirit, he is a new creation, his is reborn. On the other hand, John helps us understand the mystery that is the source of life.

There are four kinds of birth a. through blood; b. carnal desire; c. husband’s will; d. from God.

Reflection:

Men have different life. Why life? For what do I live for? Have I been reborn?

5) Christ: the Word became flesh (v14)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (v14)

Here Apostle John refers to Christ’s condition, nature and life. a. became flesh and dwelled among us (v14a); b. full of grace and truth (v14b); c. revealing the glory of Father God (v14c)

6) Dutiful and faithful John (v15)

John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " John the Baptist is related to Jesus Christ by blood; they are relatives. In fact John the Baptist was born six months earlier that Jesus. However, he clearly knew God’s will and knew how to play his role. He magnified the Lord, spread the Gospel, and performed his duty, faithfully accomplished God’s mission for him.

7) Fullness of grace and truth (v16-17)

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (v16-17)

Apostle John followed Jesus Christ in person; hence he has a more profound understanding of Christ. He had also received the fullness of grace and unchanging truth. This is why he drew parallel between Moses and Jesus. Moses’ time was that of law but Jesus’ time is that of grace. Because law was given through Moses, and Jesus fulfilled the law, Apostle John stressed that Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth.

8) God is revealed/manifested (v18)

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. Because God is Spirit, no one can see God. However, Jesus Christ is a complete manifestation of God. Therefore whoever knows Jesus Christ, knows God; whoever receives Jesus Christ receives God.

IV. Prayer/ Life Application

Translate by: Daisy Tsai