Light and Dark | John 1:5

0:00The following audio was brought to you by a manual Baptist church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. More information about our church can be found at emmanueltuscalusa.org. John 1, beginning in verse 1, says, in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to bear witness about the light that all might believe through Him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

1:01The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore a witness about Him, and cried out, this was He of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me because He was before me. For from His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace.

2:06For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, the only God who is at the Father's side, He has made Him known. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, give us help. This morning as we look at your word, feed our souls, nourish our hearts, help those who mourn, remind them of the rich treasure that we possess in Jesus Christ our Lord. Speak through me. Encourage us who are hurting in Jesus name. Amen.

3:08Text message came through at 745 on Friday night, that Emily had been in a bad car accident, was taken to the hospital. So my family stopped what we were doing, and we prayed for her, and for Aaron, had no idea about the severity of the situation, just that it's not often that you receive those kinds of messages, and so we stopped. 13 minutes later, phone rang from the same person, she told me that Emily was dead. I just stood there in disbelief. There's got to be some mistake. I'm going to get a call any minute now from Emily or from Aaron saying, it's just a rumor, nothing happened, I'm okay,

4:11I'm fine, just a misunderstanding, and if I'm honest, even though I know better, I still have that thought in the back of my mind. Our time as a family since Friday night has been a lot of discussion, a lot of tears, a lot of struggling to sleep, a lot of just waves of grief all in one instant. In talking with many of you, I have heard similar stories. Emily was the kind of girl that you wanted your daughter to be. She was the kind of girl you wanted your sons to marry. I had the pleasure of being her pastor, doing her premarital counseling,

5:12officiating her wedding, and I can honestly say, the more I got to know her, the more of Jesus I saw in her. Our world is replete with examples of tragedy and of suffering. You don't have to look very far to see it. An image death is just the latest example of the warning that Jesus gives us in John 1633 in this world you will have trouble. We're surrounded by it. And grief seems to be the only appropriate response to it. We find ourselves in John 1 verse 5 this morning. Normally in circumstances like these, I would take a step back and reevaluate and ask if there was another appropriate

6:17passage for this particular time and preach that. But there is perhaps no more fitting of a verse to meditate on in the wake of something like this than the one that we're in by God's providence. John tells us in verse 5 the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Like all the other verses that we've seen in this opening paragraph of John's gospel, verse 5 also has many different layers that we need to understand in order to see what John is actually saying here. On the surface John is bringing us back to the original creation story. That's what we've been seeing over the last few weeks. He's bringing us back to the original creation story. You remember that the eternal Word of God is the subject of this paragraph.

7:21He is the one in verse 1 that says he was in the beginning with God and he was God. So while he's distinct in person from God, he's one in nature with God. And as such he's the one through whom as verse 3 tells us everything was made. There was nothing that was made that came into being without him. And last week we saw that he is self-existent is always been. He needed nothing to create him. Life itself is a product of him, not the other way around. This sounds familiar. It's what we read about in Genesis chapter 1 verses 1 to 5. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep. In the spirit of God was hovering over the face of

8:26the waters. And God said let there be light and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day and the darkness he called the night and there was evening and there was morning the first day. He speaks and everything springs into existence starting with light itself. There's nothing but darkness. He says the spirit of God is hovering over the waters. God speaks through the sun, his eternal word and light. Comes from nothing. You have probably seen the image of the Yin and the Yang. A circle with two halves

9:28in it, if you will. It represents light and dark and the balance that exists between the two of them is the view of dualism. You'll notice in that symbol if you can think about it in your mind's eye, the light color Yang has a little dot of Yin in it. Darkness and vice versa. It's basically trying to depict light and dark as opposites of one another that balance each other out. This is not the story that John nor the book of Genesis is telling about the beginning. For one, the darkness that was there had no light in it whatsoever. The light came from God alone. And second, the light that

10:33came from God had no darkness in it at all. Instead of dualism and balance, God speaks and light comes into existence. There's no competition. There's no struggle. There's no balance. There is only darkness and then God brings light into existence and puts darkness in its place. He draws boundaries around it. He says this far and no further. Following the creation of light itself, he proceeds to bring forth life and trees of the ground, grass of the fields of fish and beasts of the field in all manner of critters that crawl on the ground and everything as a result of him speaking, everything comes into existence. The light as verse four explains is not merely generic brightness. It's life

11:43that exists in him in him alone and through him everything owes its existence. So in Genesis, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness doesn't overcome it. In fact, it runs. John is drawing our minds back to Genesis. Even though the words in the beginning bring our minds back to creation, John is actually also going to take us to the incarnation of the Son of God. The original creation story is if you will, the surface layer of the meaning of this verse. John is bringing our minds to, but the incarnation of the eternal word is the next layer. Within the next few weeks, we're going to see this

12:44exactly in verse nine when John tells us the true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world and the world was made through him yet the world did not know him. And then in 14, he says, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only son from the Father full of grace and truth. John's gospel, darkness, is not merely the absence of light. Like it was in the creation story that we just read. Darkness actually represents sin and wickedness and evil that resides in the heart of men. He tells us in 3, verse 19, and this is the judgment.

13:49The light has come into the world and people love the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light unless his works should be exposed. So the image that John is kind of painting here for us is of a world that was originally created in the beginning from the living God created perfect and good. But because of the wickedness of man, moral darkness has shrouded God's otherwise good world. So the eternal word taking on flesh is not merely about the son of God becoming human.

14:51It's about the eternal life, the person, the eternal life himself, the eternally living one, coming into a morally dark world destined for eternal death and shining the light of forgiveness of sin and eternal life. He is life and when he comes into the world, he's bringing with him the hope of salvation to men who are trapped in sin and darkness. But the hearts of men are so desperately wicked that they loved the darkness rather than the light. We don't buy our nature want salvation because coming to Jesus means the darkness of sin in our heart

15:57gets exposed by the light of his righteousness. That's what it means. It means I'm coming to him and I'm all my wickedness is exposed before him. As far as he comes into this morally dark world, men naturally recoil at his presence. We run from the light of Jesus rather than to him and it's to our peril. Of course, this is precisely what played out in the incarnation of Christ. He came to his own people and they did not receive him. Instead of repenting of their sin and receiving eternal life, they cursed him, they beat him, they mocked him and they crucified. But on the third day, the word made flesh, who as we've seen in John is eternally self-existent,

17:04rose from the great. The light shines in the moral darkness of men and though they put him to death, darkness has not overcome it. You understand. So layer one of this verse, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it is the original creation story. God speaks into the darkness and light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it. It has its day. It creates everything. He creates everything. Darkness runs from it. And then the second layer, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. The incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus, the light of the world comes into the morally dark lives of men and shines the light of eternal life by dying on the cross

18:10and rising from the dead. The light shines in the darkness. Darkness has not overcome it. But there's a third, very important layer to this verse. See if John were only referencing creation or the incarnation, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, then he would have said the light shown in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. But crucially, he says the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. It's present tense. It currently shines. See the third layer is the life of the new creation that Jesus is bringing.

19:13The gospel is not simply about Jesus being eternal and with God and sharing the very nature of God. John's gospel is not only about those things, though they do feature prominently in this gospel. You will see that you have seen that already within the first chapter. This gospel is not even about the incarnation, the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus, although that is a major feature in this gospel. It's the story that John is walking us through. This gospel is written for you to have a life in the name of Jesus. This is how John says it in chapter 20, verse 30 to 31.

20:18Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Jesus's resurrection from the dead started something new. It's begun a new creation of previously dead men and women who are being brought to life every single day. So that the Apostle Paul can tell us in 2 Corinthians 5, 17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The Old has passed away, behold, the new has come.

21:25In this salvation that he's bringing, he's actually creating new life like the first pages of Genesis when he says, let there be light. He's now saying that to men and women all over the world, let there be life. And Jesus tells us how this is happening in John 10, verses 27 to 28. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish and no one will snatch them out of my hand. How do they have life? He calls them.

22:25He speaks into the void of moral darkness and in an instant, light creates life. It's with his word, he calls them. And darkness runs and hides. He calls previously dead men and women to hear his voice. And what is born in them is life of a totally new creation. He's walking through Genesis all over again. But this time he's doing it in the heart of people and he says, this life is eternal.

23:27They will never perish. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. I will admit to you that it is difficult to talk about light and life with so much death and darkness around us all the time. He says, never perish. But on Friday night, everyone who knew Emily got a deep sense of death. And it feels a lot like perishing. It certainly appears as though the darkness has overcome the light.

24:36She was 22 years old. I officiated her wedding on July 18th, not even two months ago. So she had her whole life ahead of her. Pastor's wife, nurse, who knows what else. She would have been an amazing mom. Amazing grandmother. All of it cut short. And that feels so much like darkness overcoming the light. I imagine the feeling that we have right now might have been similar to what the disciples felt on another Friday night before Passover.

25:42Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God, the eternal Word, the one who has life in himself who brings light to everyone, rode into town on a donkey to the praise of everyone. And darkhearted, evil men killed it. Maybe the disciples went home as they were running in fear for their lives. Maybe they thought to themselves the light shown in the darkness and the darkness overcame it. We're reminded in times like these that we have little ability to see beyond the end of our noses.

26:45Just as the disciples gathered behind a locked door following the crucifixion, we also can't yet see what kind of world Christ is in the process of bringing into existence. But this is what Jesus tells us in John 5 verse 28. An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out. Those who have done good to resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

27:45The creating voice of the eternal Word of God not only spoke into the darkness many years ago and created the world. He not only spoke into our hearts to give us the light of salvation, but he's going to speak again and when he does, Emily and all of the dead bodies will rise up from the grave. The darkness has not overcome the light that Christ is bringing. The problem is that we're just living with the disciples on Saturday. We have no idea what's about to happen. Brothers and sisters, the very same one through whom all things were made, who was raised bodily from the grave on

28:47that Sunday morning, has promised that the life you now live is but a glimpse of the life that awaits. John goes on to describe this in Revelation 21 verses 1 to 4. Then I saw new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God prepared as a bride to do it for our husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, be hold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore for the former things have passed away. In verse 22, he says, and I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord, God, the Almighty,

29:54and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it for the glory of God gives it light and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it and its gates will never be shut by day and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and honor of the nations, but nothing unclean will ever enter it nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. All those names written in the Lamb's book of life are the very ones who draw near to the light of Christ to expose the darkness in their hearts. They walk to the light, they run to the light.

31:03What happened on Friday night was a tragedy, but let me be clear, the tragedy was on our end, not on Emily's. When she closed her eyes in death, she opened them in life as she stared into the face of her Savior who is life itself. See Emily was one of those sheep who heard the voice of her Savior, who heard his voice and ran out of darkness and into the light. See she is one of many examples

32:04of how light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. She came to our church as Jeremy said earlier her freshman year. By her account, she had struggled mightily with God through high school, but she credited the summer after high school graduation as the point where she gave her life to Christ. Just a few months later, October 9th, 2022, she visited our church. Just a few months after being born again. On January 7th, 2023, she applied for membership in our church. As one does, she filled out the membership interview request form that Jeremy was talking about earlier. Under the question, how has your life changed after you became a Christian?

33:14Emily said this, and I want you to hear this in her own words. My life is different today because I believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior because my priorities in life have changed. I'm no longer being carried by the popular culture, but by the desire to have God at the forefront and center of my life. Though I'm still human and I make mistakes, I'm actively trying to represent Christ in my actions. I'm immersing myself in the Bible and finding understanding the ways I never have before. I have a desire to share God's love with others, and most importantly, I've found reliance in God. One of the most important verses to me has been 2 Samuel 22 29. For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God, lightens my darkness. The light shines in the darkness,

34:31and the darkness has not overcome it. Brothers and sisters, for now, we see through a window dimly. It appears as though darkness is winning, but it's only Friday. And Sunday is coming. Jesus told us disciples, in John 1633, I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world. Don't lose heart. Clean tightly to Jesus. Greve, mourn, weep, but mourn with hope. The darkness is a small and passing thing,

35:45because the light of Christ is forever beyond its reach. We're going to stand from just a moment. And we're going to sing him 636. He leadeth me. These are the words that I want you to think about as we sing it. He leadeth me, oh blessed thought, a words with heavenly comfort, fraught, whatever I do, wherever I be, still tears God's hand that leadeth me. Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine, content whatever lot I seek since tears my God that leadeth me. When it lasts, my race is run. The Savior's work in me is done. Even death cold wave, I will not flee since God through Jordan leadeth me. Let's pray.

36:55God our Father, we pray for your hand of guidance on us now. We have seen the ugliness of death that is brought about through the consequences of sin on this world. And we are sick of it. We pray for your hand of mercy and grace to be upon us as we grieve. Be with the mourners as they mourn. Comfort them. Remind them of the hope that only exists in you who is the author of light and life. Revive our hearts. Restore us.

37:58Will you help us to always carry this about as a scar that reminds us of a tragedy and the consequences that sin has brought on this world as a reminder to cling closely to Christ, who is the promise of eternal life. I pray that it would fuel our fire for worship, our desire to distance ourselves from all of the sin that easily entangles us and lead us into life everlasting. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.