Jesus: The True Light of the WorldSample

Let’s examine the third portion of John 1:9.

3. “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” (John 1:9c, NASB95)

There is some discussion as to what “enlightens every man” means. Is every person saved as a result? Is every person universally saved? No. A couple of verses later, we learn there are some who reject Him.

But the word "enlighten" is more than just information, and it is less than intimidation. When it says He "enlightens every man," He’s not going to intimidate every man or incriminate every man. He’s not going to intrude on every man and compel him to believe. But He is going to illuminate every person.

This illumination is about the human condition—that we are transgressors, we are sinful, we are morally departed from Him, and we have not met the standards of the Holy God. This illumination shows us the human condition, not only of fallenness and brokenness, but of the need for forgiveness, the need for hope beyond this life, the need for joy in the middle of circumstances that cannot be handled by us in this polycrisis—not only externally, but internally.

We need peace that passes all understanding, the peace that only He can give.

But there is also the illumination of judgment. Just a couple of chapters later, in one of the finest statements of the Gospel, the apostle John records those famous words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB95)

The next verse is even more stark. I recommended it as a gravestone verse to a friend: “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17, NASB95)

The text goes on to say:

“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.” (John 3:18-19, NASB95)

There it is. Men love the darkness. They love to navigate and manage the darkness. They do not love the light because their deeds are evil.

Here’s the illumination of judgment. Judgment for everyone who does evil, hates the light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But here’s some hope:

“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:21, NASB95)

God takes on the responsibility. Through His incarnation, Jesus illuminates the human condition and brings salvation to all who will turn to the true Light.