Devotion:
Read John 1:1-14.
We begin our exploration of the good news in the Gospel of John with the Prologue. Do you recognize the Christmas story in this? Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels give us concrete, physical accounts of the birth of Christ. John’s gospel is more abstract and deeply theological. So it should be no surprise to us that the story of the birth of Christ in John’s gospel is not about a manger, shepherds, or Magi. Rather it emphasizes the theological implications of God coming to earth in human form.
This passage is packed with good news! In verse 5, we learn that Christ came as light into a dark world. Light dispels the darkness of ignorance, evil, and hopelessness. John tells us that light is still burning brightly. We become children of God, not because of any birthrights we might have but because we believe in Jesus Christ. Even in the opening verses of his gospel, John is letting us know that we are saved through our faith. The incarnation (God becoming flesh) is summarized beautifully in verse 14. In it, we are promised that Christ came from the Father, full of grace and truth. That good news makes me want to read the rest of this gospel, to receive the grace, and to learn of the truth.
Personal Worship Option:
Give thanks today for this beautiful gospel. Ask God for guidance as we explore it this week. Open your heart to receive and rejoice in the good news it brings to a dark world.
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