The Light has come!

"He Came, But Not All Received Him"
John 1:6–13

The apostle John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, continues his majestic prologue by shifting the focus from the eternal Word to the forerunner: John the Baptist. In verses 6 through 13, we see a profound summary of God's redemptive plan through Christ, and the sobering reality of human rejection, alongside the glorious miracle of new birth.

A Man Sent from God (vv. 6–8)

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
John the Baptist was not the Light, but he was sent to bear witness to the Light. This calling was not self-appointed; it was a divine commissioning. In the fullness of time, God raised up a prophet whose singular purpose was to point others to the Messiah. He came to make straight the way of the Lord.

John’s role highlights an important truth: no one comes to Christ apart from divine revelation and proclamation. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Even though God’s elect will come to saving faith, they do so through the means of preaching. John’s ministry was a foretaste of the gospel proclamation that would continue through the apostles and into the church age.

The True Light (v. 9)

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
This Light is Jesus Christ Himself, the Word who was with God and was God (John 1:1). He is not one of many lights. He is the Light. The Light that exposes darkness, reveals truth, and grants spiritual sight.

The phrase “gives light to everyone” does not imply universal salvation or common grace leading to redemption. Rather, it speaks of Christ as the only source of spiritual illumination for mankind. He is the Light that all people need, though not all will receive it. Apart from Him, the world remains in darkness.

The World Did Not Know Him (vv. 10–11)

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him.”
This is one of the most tragic realities in Scripture. The Creator entered His creation, and the very people He formed failed to recognize Him. Worse still, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” Israel, God’s covenant nation, who had the Law, the prophets, and the promises, still rejected their Messiah.

This rejection reveals the depth of man’s depravity. It is not due to ignorance, but willful blindness. Fallen man does not seek God (Romans 3:11). Christ came in the flesh, performed miracles, fulfilled prophecy, and yet was despised and rejected. The problem is not with the Light, but with the darkness in the human heart.

But to All Who Did Receive Him (vv. 12–13)

“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…”
Not everyone rejected the Light. Some did receive Him. But why? Verse 13 answers that question in unmistakable clarity:
“…who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

This is the doctrine of regeneration. Those who believe in Christ and receive Him do so only because they have been born of God. They are not born again because of their lineage (“not of blood”), nor because of human effort (“nor of the will of the flesh”), nor by another’s decision on their behalf (“nor of the will of man”). Salvation is entirely a work of God. It is God who opens the eyes, grants repentance, and gives the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; 2 Timothy 2:25).

Those who are born of God become His children. This is not a general statement about the universal fatherhood of God. It is specific to those who have received Christ through faith, which itself is the result of divine regeneration. John will later describe this in detail: “You must be born again” (John 3:7).

Conclusion

John 1:6–13 is both sobering and full of hope. It reminds us that apart from God’s intervention, no one would receive Christ. The Light has come, and though many reject Him, God is still bringing sons and daughters into His family—not by human decision, but by sovereign grace.

If you have received Christ, it is because God has made you alive. Your new birth is not your doing. It is a gift, and it leads to adoption, forgiveness, and eternal life. Rejoice that He made you His own, even when you would have rejected Him.

Let us proclaim Christ, like John the Baptist did, knowing that God will draw His people to Himself through the power of His Word.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul's day. Please visit us here for much more and remember, the truth will set you free.

Until we meet again, lets go serve our King!

FRF Family