In the above verse we have some fundamental concepts rehearsed for us: 1) He was in the world; 2) the world was made through Him; and 3) the world did not know Him.

We witness His wisdom, His power, and His greatness as Creator; as such, He is truly worthy to be praised (Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16). How marvelous to realize that in all this vastness, complexity, and beauty, He has deigned to pay particular interest to the habitation of humankind (Prov. 8:31).

Yet even before God stepped into time, we failed as humans to recognize Him for who He is. In its earliest form, this failure was shown in the disobedience of Adam and Eve, who rejected God by doubting His word. They chose to rely on their own intellect, succumb to their own doubts because of their selfishness, and shut out God.

History has unfortunately proven this to be the recurring pattern of human foolishness. Every generation in turn has been characterized by this rejection of God. Isaiah alludes to this folly when he writes, “For shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isa. 29:16, cf. 45:9).

Yet at the height of despair and darkness, we see God stepping into time. He took on the form of His creation and came humbly as a dependent Man, fully understanding that the world had no interest in Him (Jn. 1:5; 3:19). Thanks be to God for His steadfast love and grace that did not give up on us but led Christ to the cross for our sake. By grace we can turn from our foolishness and behold His light (2 Cor. 4:6). How precious it is for us to know and recognize Him as Creator and Redeemer.