Worldwide Perspective: The Creator was/is unknown by those who had been created to find their pleasure in him.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. (John 1:9-10)
1st Century/Jewish Perspective: Yahweh's chosen king, high-priest, prophet (i.e. Messiah) was/is unrecognized by those who had been chosen to be "a Kingdom of Priests" (Exodus 19:5-6).
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:11)
Despite humanity's debased ignorance and Israel's woeful lack of perception the "true light" still offers the ultimate truth to the ignorant and the imperceptive alike - new birth. A birth that rectifies the general failure of mankind and the specific failure of Israel.
But to all who did receive him, who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
All of this is because the imposing, seemingly all-powerful "darkness" that brought ignorance and lack of perception met its absolute Kryptonite counterpart - the "Light."
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)
2 comments:
Love it. I'm taking an Old Testament Class at the seminary and it's blowing my mind. Such good stuff-- and I love seeing the countless connections between OT & NT.
What class are you taking? I saw that you are reading Kingdom of Priests - that's my textbook - very solid read. Sometimes we forget that the Bible that the NT writers are talking about when they say "God-breathed" is the OT. To them there is no other Bible...
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