|
|||
 |
There is an emphasis in the text on “all things.”
This is indicated in the Greek text by its priority in the syntax, it comes
first in the sentence. Everything came into being by the agency of the “word”.
This concept is further emphasized by means of the Johannine literary feature
of restating the positive proposition in a negative way. The negation emphasizes
that, “without him not even one thing came into being that has come into
being.”
Here “came into being” contrasts with the “word’s”
continual existence (continually was) in the past that was noted in the previous
verses. Anything that “has come into being” at or after “the
beginning” has done so through the exclusive agency of the “word”.
The “word” himself “continually was” so he did not “come
into being” and that which has always coexisted with the “word”
is also excluded from having been brought into being by the “word”.
The self-existence of the “word” is hereby underlined.
The “word” did not have a derived existence. “Living”
was native to the “word”. In him “continually was” life.
All people derive their “light” from the eternal life
of the “word”. His “light” is one that has won out in
a struggle with darkness that has failed to overpower it.
John will use ethical dualisms in his gospel as a recurrent
feature. One of his favorites is the ethical dualism of light and darkness.
The light that the eternal life produces is a moral enlightenment and is opposed
to moral darkness. All moral enlightenment is credited to the effect of the
“word”. So not only is the physical universe brought into being
by the agency of the “word” but also the existence of moral goodness
is owed to the life of the “word”.
Note the tense of the word for shine. The present active indicative
indicates that the “shining” is not some past punctiliar event (as
would be implied by the aorist) but is an ongoing, active process. The moral
“light” is still shining and the moral “darkness” is unsuccessful
in seeking to overcome it (take it captive).
One of the defining elements of the human condition is limitation.
We are by definition unable to do all things. This characteristic therefore
makes us humans necessarily impotent in the face of enumerable challenges.
We are simply unable to control things that are more powerful than us. In
these circumstances we are helpless, dependent and vulnerable. This helplessness
is particularly evident in our challenge with moral darkness. The detrimental
effects of the Fall (Genesis 3) render us weak and helpless in the face of
prevailing moral darkness. Therefore, the human condition is one of impotence
and brokenness. This is compounded by the frustration of our various attempts
to overcome “the darkness”.
God’s self-revelation in the “word” is indeed
all powerful. Through the agency of the “word”, “all things”
come into being. This all creating power is indicative of the limitless potential
to be in control. This limitless control is more than an adequate basis for
confidence and trust.
The overwhelming darkness of moral depravity for human beings
is no match for the illuminating power that emanates for the self-existing
life of the “word”. The “word” is never frustrated in
the face of the darkness because the “word’s” creative power
illumines the darkness through infinite options of “creative” solutions.
The “word” is a creative word. The themes of word, light and darkness
must hark back to God’s initial actions in creation when in Genesis 1:3
God said, “Let there be light—and there was light.” The text
seeks to indicate the infinite potential that is possible through the “word”
in a new creation.
There must be an infusion of confidence in us in the realization
of the all-creating power of the “word.” Not “even one thing”
is beyond this powerful ability. No situation can stump him because of this
ability to “call into being” even presently nonexistent solutions
in order to overcome the darkness.
This confidence translates into exuberant hope even in the face
of moral decadence and depravity. There is hope for the individual in the
conflict with the darkness and there is hope for the world in the conflict
with the darkness. The light that is the eternal life of the “word”
shines perpetual in the conquest of the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome
it.
In a world of helplessness and hopelessness the good news of
God comes with creative power. The eternally living self-existent, uncreated
“word” is the exclusive agent of God’s creation of every single
thing. The eternal life of the “word” is the consistent source of
the enlightenment that has the power to overcome moral darkness.
The sermon engenders confidence and hope that the “word’s” creative ability can deal with any challenge that one may be too weak to handle. The “word’s” eternal life is personally available and effectively active to address and overcome moral darkness universally.