John 1:9

This True Light, unlike any other minor source of illumination, provides light to everyone who exists on this dark orb called earth. John 1:9 EFP

 

There is true light and there is just…well, light.  What’s the difference?  Isn’t light light?  Does it not stand in contrast to darkness—and is true darkness somehow different from simple or basic darkness?  These may seem odd questions, but the fact is that this text makes a distinction between light, not false light mind you, but light—the kind that helps us see in the dark, and true light that is somehow different from the previous light in some unique sense.

I believe the difference is not in the essence or even the intensity of the light, but rather in its pervasiveness.   I do not believe John is saying that the Word is the true Light because the light shines brighter and more powerfully than all others.  One could argue this point, but I can also see how it might be contested convincingly.  After all, this light would have to compete with other luminaries that have made a name for themselves, and now inhabit the literary worlds of history, science, and other human achievements.  There are mega-stars of the entertainment world that have performed before millions, perhaps billions, and left their wares to remind fans of their talent and impact.  These are all lights in their own right.  They shine bright and intensely—but then their light dims and eventually dies.  They become in the end, for all intents and purposes, historical footnotes, of different import, but footnotes nonetheless.

But what makes a light the true and ultimate Light is the ability to a find pervasive permanence in the lives of people who fall under the influence of this Light.  John would argue that this particular Light has impacted the entire world with light, since light exists because the true Light willed it into existence.  But there is also a sense in which this true light makes light available to all.  Without this Light we would all be in a state of total darkness; without any hope of escape.  The true light is here; it is a reality although not realized by many who have not discovered it or who may refuse to recognize it.  We would be indeed in dire straits if not for the Light, whether we believe it, accept it, or not. And that is, we will discover, John’s ultimate purpose in writing this Gospel treatise.  I, for one, choose to believe.  But this belief comes with a cost.  We will discover this as we continue this journey into the Light.