Day 756: Step into the light - John 1 vs 6 - 14

6-9 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens 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. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

11-13 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. 14 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. John 1:6-14 English Standard Version

In the opening verses of this gospel the apostle John described Christ's entering into the world as being like light coming into the darkness. That's a very vivid picture. Jesus was not simply a man who would be remembered as one of the great names of history, He was far more than that. How does John describe Him in vs 14?

Jesus radiated the glory of God in a way that only someone who was God's Son could do. We speak warmly of good people who are 'just like their father'. Jesus is just like His Father – full of grace and truth! Sadly though, not everyone who met Jesus recognised that. Look at what John said in vs 10.

Even though the world, and all the human race, owes it's existence to Christ, when He came into the world, in fact, to the very people who of all others ought to have recognised Him, he was not received. He was not given the welcome He so richly deserved. People through the ages gave parades to returning conquering heroes, whether Kings and generals, or even football teams. But the world's creator sometimes had nowhere even to lay His head.

John points out how it wasn't as if the people weren't told who it was that was soon to walk their streets. He tells of a man, whose name also happened to be John, whom God sent to announce the coming of the one who would bring His light into the world. (We will hear more of that John as we go through this chapter.) What was the main mission of that man ? (vs 6-9)

He wanted people to believe on Jesus Christ. He wanted them to come into the light Jesus was bringing into the world. How does that happen? How do men and women move from darkness to the light? (vs 11-13)

John tells us it is by 'receiving' Jesus Christ – and that we do that by 'believing in His name'. This is our side of what it takes to become a Christian. To receive someone usually involves giving them a warm welcome into your home. We have a lovely picture in the New Testament when a short fellow named Zacchaeus, a chief tax-collector, climbed a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” How did Zacchaeus respond? “He hurried and came down and received Him joyfully.” (Luke 19:5-6)

Obviously Jesus is not physically in the world now for us to receive Him into our home. But we can call out to Him to express our earnest longing for Him to be fully in charge of our life. If we believe in His name, that He is truly the Son of God, the one through whom the world was made, the one who can bring light to our dark souls, then our cry will not be in vain. Think of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. One of them railed at Him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other said: “'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? We indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'” That was the cry of faith – and Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” God willing, we will look next time at the bigger part God has in all of this. But for now, how very blessed are the people who have stepped into the light through receiving Jesus as Lord, and believing in His name.