Witnesses to the Light

John 1:1-14

In the first four verses, John writes about the nature of Christ, by referring to Him as “the Word” or “Logos”. The Greek philosophers viewed Logos as the rational principle that created and sustained the world. Philo of Alexandria (20 BCE-50 CE), a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, saw Logos as the word through which God created and interacted with the world. John presents Jesus as the divine Logos, connecting Jesus with both Jewish and Greek audiences. John tells us that the Christ was not only with God from the beginning but is God, and all things that came into being came through Him. Christ gave life and is also the light of the world.

Verses 6-9 tells us that John the Baptist was sent by God to be a witness for Christ. John was not the Messiah but was getting the world ready for the coming Messiah.

John tells us that most of the people did not accept Christ, but those who did, He gave power to become the children of God.

Both Genesis and The Gospel According to John start with, “In the beginning”. Genesis tells of the creation of this universe, earth, plants and animals, and humans. John tells of a new creation, a new humanity who become children of God through faith in Christ.

When John the Baptist sees Jesus coming toward him, he declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John also testified that Jesus is the Son of God.

John the Baptist was a witness for Christ, telling the world that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. John the gospel-writer is being a witness to the fact that Jesus Christ is not only the Savior of the world but also the Son of God, by writing down his gospel.

Jesus referred to Himself as the light of the world in John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

There is a prophesy in Isaiah 9:2 about the Messiah – “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.” It is a great picture of what God has done for us by sending Christ to us. But sadly, as John points out, His own people did not accept Him.

Especially during the advent season, there will be opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas with those who do not know Him yet. Just as John was called upon to be a witness to the light, we too are called to be witnesses to the light.

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus says to us, “You are the light of the world”. It is helpful for us to accept that Jesus is the true light of the world. We cannot really shine on our own. We are more like mirrors, which can reflect the light of Christ and direct it towards the dark places. It is also important to keep in mind that the only way we can reflect His light is to have our surface cleaned, and then face Christ. Only then can we direct the light into the dark.

Over fifty years ago, I attended a service where John Stott was bringing the message. He asked whether we thought this world around us is one that is full of light or one that has many dark places. He also asked whether this world is a refreshing place or whether it has many rotten places. He proposed, and we all agreed, that this world could be less dark and less rotten.

So why doesn’t God do something about it? Stott’s point was clear. God is doing something about it – He is sending us. This is what Jesus meant when He told His followers that they are the salt of the earth and light of the world. We, who are the servants of the Lord, are to act as salt and light. Otherwise, like salt, we are to bring the refreshing and preserving power of God to those around us. We are also to bring light into the darkness.

All we say and do are supposed to witness to the love of God. The type of love that would love an enemy. The type of love that would send His only Son to the cross, even though most will reject Him.

Before we speak or act, we should ask ourselves whether what we are about to do or say would witness for the love of God? Will it further the good news of Jesus being accepted or praised? Will it reflect well on our Lord?

The Gospel of John acts as a witness to the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the World. In this advent season, let us reflect the light of Christ so that the people living in darkness can witness God’s love, grace and forgiveness.

(the above is a summary of the message shared by Shun Takano during our worship of December 8, 2024.)