Read John 1:9-13
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Digging Deeper
As we read the passage, what words stand out to you and to me? You may want to circle or underline them. The Apostle John writes The Light was coming into the world. Would the world gladly receive The Light? Would we be glad to receive The Light?
As I read the text, the words, “know not” and “receive not” were not what I expected. I would have expected that the world would be glad to know The Light and even receive The Light. Who doesn’t enjoy the light from the sun during the day or the reflection of the sun upon the moon at night! Surprisingly, John uses the negative, not, to describe the world’s response to The Light. It’s not that the world don’t know nor don’t want light, but they don’t want The True Light. John qualifies The Light with the words, The True. It is The Light The True. This Light is able to penetrate deep into the heart and mind of every person. It reveals our true inner condition. Do be honest none of us include myself our true inner condition to be known by others, even less to God! Perhaps deep within us, we know that we can’t hide from The True Light, but we’re afraid to deal with mess in our lives. It’s easier letting it be buried than to bring it up. The result is that we don’t want to get too close to The True Light. It’s too revealing!
There is something about us that if someone speaks or reveals a truth about ourselves, we become very defensive toward that person perhaps even hostile. We would rather have someone spotlight our strengths and goodness, not our failures and even less our sins. We run for cover or we cover it up if someone says something negative about us. The True Light doesn’t shade the truth just because we are uncomfortable. He can only speak the truth to us. It’s hard to accept the truth about ourselves.
Application Thought: Would we dare to step into The True Light to let His Light shine into our hearts and minds? Only when we truthful with ourselves that we are true before God and before others. We can either continue to live in the shadows or walk toward The True Light. If we are willing to walk toward The True Light, we will find that God forgives and accepts us. It takes courage to come to The True Light. If we do, we can become children of the True Light. It’s admitting our sins, asking for His forgiveness, and accepting His forgiveness. Wouldn’t it be liberating to know that you don’t have to hide anymore! Would you be willing to take that first step to walk toward The True Light today? I hope you will.