Read: John 1:1-18
Verses chosen for reflection:
John 1:9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Reflect
John 1 serves as a prologue to the first coming of Christ and how He was going to redeem the world through the Cross. One of the emphases in John 1 was that Jesus had to be born fully man, even as He was fully God. It is only through the Incarnation, that Scriptures may be fulfilled with the death and resurrection of God's only begotten Son. Hence, the cost to God was great in order that humanity be given a door to salvation.
And according to verse 12, those who believed in Jesus, had been given the right to become the children of the living God. Children, not born of the flesh, but a new creation born of God. As a new creation, we are therefore called to walk in the Spirit and according to His word. We should no longer conform ourselves to what the world wants of us (or us of the world); but even as we live in this world, our thoughts, words and deeds should reflect that of the works of the Holy Spirit and of the word. In that way, we learn to love God and one another in witness to the world, that God has also come for them.
Relate
John 1 should serve as a great assurance to us. The great assurance that Jesus loves us to the extent of fulfilling a gruesome death; so that we might be able to have the new life.
Such an assurance can give us godly perspectives when we face with troubles in life. As a child of God, we are not free from troubles and disappointments; but we have with us now godly resources to deal with earthly problems; or even spiritual ones.
Our godly resources as a child of God consist of the privilege to come before God in prayer. In that way, we seek godly wisdom to help us with the toughest questions in life. We can also seek the comfort of God when we are sorrowful, disappointed or frustrated. Jesus was the Incarnate Son, surely He knows about the frailty of mankind and can give comfort to any crying soul.
Our godly resources also consist of the word of God; which we can faithfully and joyfully seek to understand and obey. For God's promise is that as a child of God in obedience of His word, we can live life and live it abundantly (John 10:10).
Rest
Lord, thank you for the great assurance that those who believe in you, are given the grace and privilege to be called your child. Help us therefore to behave like your child and thereby witnessing to more to want to be your child as well. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jason
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