John 1:6-18

OK, a few things before I dive into my thoughts on this week’s scripture passage. I don’t think I mentioned this last week but, I do not journal. This whole entire E-Bible Study thing is a huge stretch for me. I don’t feel “adequate” to “lead” a study, let alone journal my thoughts…because as I said, I do not journal. Never have. I never was a “Dear diary,” kind of girl…so be encouraged as you discover along with me. I do not claim to know any more than anyone else, in fact more than likely I may learn more from you! So please, if you are in this study, become a follower of this blog and make comments on YOUR thoughts and discoveries.  I could use your insight too! And since I have no claim to being a great journalist, just feel free to share without hesitation of knowing “just how to say it.”

Now, on to the study… let’s review last week’s passage:

John 1:6-18

 ⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

 ⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹²But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

 ¹⁴And 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. ¹⁵John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'"¹⁶And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

There is a light that shines through His witnesses, but make no mistake they/we are not the source of that light. We are witnesses to the light. Jesus is the light and because He lives inside us, in our heart, He shines through us. His light is evidence of our salvation and walk with Him.

Just as you or I tell others about Jesus – and people may come to know Christ through our witness – even so we in and of ourselves are not the light. There is no good thing inside of us (Romans 7:18), but when we accept Jesus into our heart, this is when His light can enter and shine through us. This is why He calls us “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13).

^“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” Everyone. There is no excuse! Everyone can find the light if they but seek. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

^“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” Jesus came to seek and save us! But, ultimately we must seek Him and accept Him. Just think, even those who walked beside Him, ate with Him, heard Him (note I did not say listened to Him), witnessed Him in action, many still did not receive Him. How sad! But if we just believe in His name we are given the right to become His children. His child. Wow, that is something so precious, so pure, and so full of unconditional love. 

Yet, another scripture comes to mind. In Matthew 7:13 Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Is this why even His own did not receive Him? Be alert and be on guard, and remain in a personal relationship with Him, so that you are not easily distracted. 

Using the roads analogy, let’s say you’re driving along on the narrow road, everything is fine and blissful but suddenly something catches your eye and you become distracted by the flow of traffic across the way on the broad freeway. As you gaze your head moves slowly in the direction of the object of interest, and as you do you begin to impulsively turn the steering wheel in the direction of the freeway…and before you even know it, you are cut-off and thrown into the shoulder. You stop. You try to shake it off. And now you have a final decision to make; to get back on the narrow road and keep your eyes looking straight ahead, or get off track and go enter the freeway and ultimately indulge in that point of interest. Ah, but remember, “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” This is quite the incentive plan to get back on the narrow road!

Jesus is the light. “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” We see God manifested in Christ. God revealed. Emmanuel, God with us.

The Light is with us.

And the Light is in us.

Shine, Jesus shine!