By The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. -John 1:9
Above my desk hangs a fluorescent trouble light illuminating my work space. It is not a source of light, rather it gets it’s power to produce light from the electric panel in the basement. The back light in my iPad gets it’s light from a rechargeable battery tucked somewhere inside. Everywhere I look around me is light that is far from being an original source.
In a few hours the sun will come up. It will give light to everything my eyes land upon. It is the nearest representation on our planet of the light John speaks about in verse 9. It is a light that does not need to be plugged in or recharged. It is a light which is given to everyone. Yet even this source of light ninety-three million miles away did not create itself. Genesis 1:16 tells us that God made the greater light (our sun) to rule over the day.
Jesus Christ is the original source of light. He is the true light which gives light to everyone. I do not tend to think the verse is specifically speaking about illuminating light, but rather the light of truth. John Calvin says the Apostle John is not distinguishing true light from false light in the verse. Rather John is pointing out that Jesus is the original source of light; illumination, and the light of truth (which lightens the soul).
2000 years ago, Jesus Christ (the true light) came into this world. He says “all that the Father gives to me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” -John 6:37
Leading Family Devotions 