Spiritual Talk – Themes of Light & Darkness in the Gospel of John

On the 24th of September, we were blessed with Deacon Jason’s presentation on themes of light and darkness within the Gospel of John. The talk was divided into three sections, explaining the purpose, structure and key themes of John’s Gospel, particularly how we are able to see the light of Christ in faith when we overcome the darkness of our own unbelief.

Deacon Jason first explained how the Gospel explains its own purpose in John(20:31). “These things have been written for you that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in his name”. This demonstrates the true identity and mission of Jesus; to draw men and women into eternal life with God through belief in Jesus. Furthermore, Deacon Jason explained that the events described in John do not show the totality of Jesus’s works, yet are sufficient for us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

The structure of the Gospel was broken down into 4 sections. The prologue (1:1-18) (‘The Word became flesh”, explaining how Jesus is the Word and Son of God), the book of signs (1:19-12:50) (an account of Jesus’s self-revelation, and those who see beyond the physical signs accept Jesus’s word in faith), the book of Glory (13:1-20:31) (the last supper, crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus’s glory is established by perfectly fulfilling his mission), and an epilogue.

Deacon Jason discussed how Jesus’s position as the Word and Son of God was revealed throughout the scriptures, focusing on “I am” statements. John the Baptist states “I am not” the Christ 5 times (1:18-1:50), before pointing towards Jesus, calling him the “lamb of God”. Jesus went on to reveal himself saying “I am the bread of life”, “I am the light of the world”, Jesus bears witness to Himself, He is with the Father, “I am from above”, “I am not of this world, before Abraham was, I AM” (4:26, 6:22-51, 8:12-59). This demonstrates how Jesus professed himself to be the light of the world, while confirming his eternal nature as the Son of God, existing before Abraham.

Deacon Jason moved on to show how light and darkness held different meanings throughout the scriptures, and how they are analogies for the light of God and faith, contrasted with the darkness of sin and unbelief. Deacon Jason explained this concept through two activities, focusing on Jesus’s encounters with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. The priest Nicodemus did not have strong faith in Jesus’s account, leaving their encounter confused. Yet the Samaritan Woman opened her heart and had strong faith in Jesus. The Samaritan met Jesus during the day, whereas Nicodemus met Jesus at night, demonstrating how one was a witness to the light (Christ), whereas the other was unable to see the light. Applying this message, the Samaritan woman is an example for us, becoming a faithful witness of the light of Christ, becoming a “child of light”.

Deacon Jason concluded his talk on the theme of seeing as believing, through Jesus’s healing of the blind man (9:13-41). Jesus gave the blind man physical sight, which progressed into spiritual vision. This is contrasted with others who fell into spiritual blindness, unable to see the light, inviting reflection on our own journey. Deacon Jason emphasised the importance of faith as spiritual sight, by looking at Thomas’s unbelief of Jesus’s resurrection. Jesus commented “blessed are those who have not seen yet have come to believe” (20:29)

Deacon Jason’s talk was an illuminating study on the virtue of faith, allowing the true light of Christ to dwell in us and to become children of the light, while warning us of the dangers of closing our hearts by unfaithfulness to Christ, becoming spiritually blind to the light. We are encouraged to take the light of Christ into our lives “For with you is the fountain of Life, in your light we see light) (ps 36:9), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (ps 119:105)