Our scripture this morning is John 1:10-18.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
This passage is a description of the wonderful blessing we have received in Christ. It speaks of the joy of His coming and how He reconnects us to God. It also shares the sorrow that not everyone accepted Him, that “the world did not recognize Him” (v. 10).
Jesus reaches out with God’s love to everyone, but it is up to us individually to make this gift part of our lives and share it with the world. This is where our responsibility in salvation begins. We certainly cannot save ourselves, but we must recognize Jesus and what He comes to do for us.
During this time that we evaluate our lives and make plans for the future, we need to examine our relationship with God and how Jesus has opened the door to a renewed connection for us. We must be intentional in our faith and steadfast in our actions. Through our witness in the world, others may come to know Him and accept God’s love for themselves.
Wise and wonderful God, You love us so much it is hard for us to grasp. Help us to be the disciples of today, sharing the joy of Christ and the blessings of Your kingdom with everyone. Amen.