Sermons of Robert Murray MCheyne 3. Christ the True Light - John 1,11, 12 and 14

Extract

Christ Despised and Rejected

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not” John 1:11.

In this chapter John describes the coming of the Son of God into the world, and His rejection by those whom He came to save, in three different ways. In verse 5 he says, “The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.” When Jesus came to this world, it was like the rising of “the bright and morning star;” but the heart of men were covered over with murky vapours, like those that settled over Egypt in that night when the “darkness might be felt,” so that the heavenly radiance of Immanuel was not allowed to shine upon their souls. To those that knew Him He was “the light of men,” “the morning Star,” “the Sun of righteousness,” the “morning without clouds;” but all the rest of the world comprehended it not.

Is it not still the same? “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” On many souls Christ has arisen with healing in His wings, so that we can say to them, “Arise; shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.” But, ah! the most have never admitted the sweet, soft, peace-bringing beams of Jesus to shine into their dark hearts. “The God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine into them.” They know not whither they are going. Their feet are ready to stumble on the dark mountains. “The path of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they shall stumble.”

Again, in verse 10, it is written, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” Strange visit to this fallen world! He who “hung the earth upon …