Scripture: John 1:9-14 (ESV)
“The true light, which gives light to 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. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed 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. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
My in-laws have a tradition of an annual family reunion. During the reunions cousins, uncles and aunts all reconnect and share the news of what has happened in the last year. As someone coming from a relatively small family, it took a while for me to get used to these events. While the family did a great job at making me and the other “married-ins” welcome, we will always be different from those who are related by blood. We are, by virtue of marriage, part of the same family. Because we are married in, we have every right to be at the family reunion, but the reality is we will never quite fit exactly the same way as someone born into the family. This, I imagine, is somewhat what it must have been like for Jesus when he came into this world. He was the one who made it, his finger-print was in everything, and yet even though he had every right to be here, the creation did not recognise him.
John describes Jesus as the true light which gives light to everyone in the world. Jesus is the source of all life on earth. He is the one who made everything, and yet the world does not realise who he is. Perhaps even more tragically, Israel who had been waiting for a Messiah for a few centuries did not receive him.
But remember John’s purpose with writing his gospel. He writes so that people will be convinced by the evidence presented in his gospel account and that they might come to saving faith in Jesus. With this theme in mind, John says something incredible. Even though Jesus’ own people did not receive him as Messiah, everyone who did receive him was given the right to be called a child of God. Just like my marriage to my wife gives me the privileges of being part of the family, so too faith gives people the privileges of being adopted into God’ family. This change in identity, says John, happens only by the will of God. It is a gift that must be received.
So how will people come to receive this gift?
The final verse in our passage tells us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. Even though the creation had become so corrupt that it did not recognise it’s creator, the creator nevertheless entered into the world to dwell among us. Jesus, the true light, enters into the darkness. He comes to shows us his glory “full of grace and truth”. The creator of the whole universe comes to live with people. And as he starts walking with people he starts shining his true light for all to see.
And this ends up changing the world forever.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you have revealed yourself to me. Please keep my eyes open and attentive to your light. Please continue to overcome the darkness in me so I can live as one of God’s adopted children. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Today, take time to reflect on your identity as a child of God. Think about who you might share this with.