8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:8-9

Explain

Who is “He” and who is “the Light”?

John the Baptist was not the same as Jesus.  He is being distinguished from the Light, Jesus Christ, the Word.  Jesus said that no man born of woman was greater than John the Baptist.  If John the Baptist was not that Light, or equal with that Light, then no one could be the Light that Jesus Christ was, and still is.  

John the Baptist did come so that all men might believe.  He was another bullet point on the long list of proofs that Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah, and Savior of the World.  He was not the Savior.  This was a question that many still had over the years even into the book of Acts.  John probably knew of people who had confusion about the place of John the Baptist in God’s view of things.

Acts 19:1-4

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

How does the true Light lighteth every man in the world?

Some who translate this verse emphasize the word “true” as much as they emphasize the word “Light” which is interesting.  The idea is that this revelation of God in the form of the Word or the Light was a reliable, trustworthy, and clear picture of who God is because the Light is God revealed. 

He has been revealed to every man, He lights every man that comes into the world in the very least through His creation.  This is referenced as we will see in verse 10.

Romans 1 speaks to this truth.

Romans 1:20-21

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Notice two things we see in parallel from this passage in John.  First, that the invisible attributes of God are clearly seen in creation.  Second, that the person that suppresses this reality is described has having “their foolish heart…darkened”.  

It’s not that people cannot see God’s light.  It’s that they suppress what they do see, or they exchange what they see into worship of self or worship of the created rather than the Creator.  

Apply

I am to be like John in that I am a witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ.  I must follow John in the attitude reflected in what he said, that, “He must increase and I must decrease.”  John said that in terms of ministry effect and attention from the people.  That same sentiment must characterize my whole attitude.  It’s not about Ben Jennings.  It’s about Jesus Christ.  

I can be encouraged that every men has access to the Light revealed in Creation, and they must hear about the Light of God in the revealing of His Son.  That message must go out through every means possible in my life.

When I worship idolatrously, worshipping the created over the Creator, in a real sense that is darkness.  Darkness is not good.  

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

Respond

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving me.  Thank you for giving me opportunity to see Your Light, to know Jesus and to make Him known.  Help me to do that faithfully today.  Help me to love you like I ought to love you.