Meeting Jesus · Day 1 of 14
Who Jesus is
Today's reading: John 1:1-18
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. 6There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. 9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. 11He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. 12But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’” 16From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), public domain.
Reflection
John begins his Gospel before the manger and before Bethlehem. He goes back to the very beginning, before anything was made, and says the Word was already there. That Word was with God and was God. Then comes the astonishing claim that the Word became a human being and lived among us.
This sits at the center of Christianity. Jesus is God himself arriving in person, and Christians don't mean a wise man who taught well. John says the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Some people received him and some didn't, and those who did were given the right to become children of God.
As you start this series, you don't have to believe all of it yet. Come with an open mind and a willingness to look at him for yourself.
Prayer
God, if Jesus is who John says he is, help me to see him clearly over these next days.
Something to think about
What have you always assumed about Jesus, and where did that idea come from?
Draft, needs review by pastoral advisors.