July 13

"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1. 9.

THE sacred writers have borrowed various images from nature, in order to set forth the transcendent excellences and unrivalled glories of Christ. He is called the tree of life, the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley, the Sun of righteousness, the bright and morning star, and the light of the world. Let us notice

THE TITLE GIVEN TO CHRIST. "The true Light." He is so called in opposition to

The false light of heathen philosophy. That cannot be a true light which gives its possessor no clear views and perceptions of the Deity, opens no resource in the time of trouble, gives no sense of pardon and acceptance with God, and reveals nothing of the glories of immortality. "Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" Christ is called "the true Light" in opposition to

The typical light of the old economy. The law presents us with the pattern of things in the heavens, but the Gospel contains the very things themselves. How faintly the light was seen in the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Jews! but how brightly it shone when the Son of God was manifest in the flesh! It shone in the manger — it shone in the cities of Judah — it shone on the mount of transfiguration — it shone on the cross — and it now shines both in heaven and on earth. The Saviour is designated "the true Light" in opposition to

The borrowed light of ordinary ministers. They are often represented as lights in a dark world. John was a burning and a shining light. All the light which inspired apostles possessed, and which the ambassadors of the Gospel now have, is derived from him.

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THE BLESSINGS HE DIFFUSES. "Which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Observe here two things.

The fact. The Saviour imparts light—the light of reason. All its powers, capacities, and discoveries, are from him. The light of revelation. The rays of Divine truth emanate from Him who is the fountain of light. Christ is the author, substance, and glory of the Gospel. The light of grace. Man by nature is in an awful state of darkness, and will remain so, till Christ the Sun of righteousness arises on the benighted mind, and sheds abroad his heavenly beams.

The universality of it. "Which lighteth every man." We must not take this literally. It intimates the general diffusion of this blessing of light—that it is imparted to men of all climes and kindreds, ranks and conditions. We should be thankful for the light of reason—more so for the light of revelation—still more for the light of grace—and most of all for the light of glory.