Was your mind blown just a little bit by this reading? We’re starting the Gospel of John, and right away we meet Jesus. But Jesus’ name is not directly mentioned here. He’s first introduced to us as the “Word.” Before he was known as Jesus, He was the Word. He has always been God.
How fitting that God would choose an earthly relative of Jesus to be the one preparing the way. John the Baptist wasn’t any random person, but Jesus’ own cousin. We’re told this messenger spoke of Jesus as the “light.” Jesus wasn’t just any light coming from a lamp or a lightbulb. Remember, there was no electricity at that time, so the idea of light would have been much different.
This light John introduces us to would be special. Like the sun, this light was for everyone, but this light “shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” The darkness of this world, namely the evil one, will try everything to overpower our light, Jesus, but he will never succeed. Doesn’t that give you an overwhelming sense of peace?
Another amazing thing John points out is that Jesus came into the world that he created. At Christmas, we celebrate that miracle of miracles. Don’t rush past the deeper truth. Jesus, the Word and our “light,” created the very world we live in. Mind-bending, isn’t it? How does it make you feel to know the Creator of the universe made an appearance?
Does it surprise you that the world didn’t recognize its creator and even rejected him? Jesus was not what they were expecting. That’s why John the Baptist did his part to lead the way. He did his best to tell the world, “Here he is, this is him!” God’s plan was not to arrive with pomp and circumstance.
In our day and age, we see a similar thing happening when people want to give credit to the universe for something. I cringe each time I hear such a reference. In my head, I replace their mention of the universe with the “Creator” of that universe. We were created by God, just like the universe. Don’t fall into that trap of the world by not recognizing and thereby rejecting the Creator.
John the Baptist said, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” As a child of God, we inherit the keys to heaven and can spend eternity with our Creator. We can experience the transformative love and be made new, who we were actually created to become.
The gospel writer expands this thought in 1 John 3:1, where he says, “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” If we ever wonder why God came to earth, it’s out of his great love for us, his creation. The world won’t recognize who we belong to because they are blind to God’s identity.
The fact that you are reading this right now shows your interest in knowing more about Jesus and building a relationship with the Creator of all. Walking through the gospel of John together will give us a beautiful, up-close glimpse at the man Jesus, the Word, our creator, the light of the world. It’s all about Him!
Let’s pray. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, O Lord, and your light guides and sustains me. I thank you for its beauty and how it helps me feel closer to you. Thank you for revealing yourself to me through your Word. I acknowledge you as Creator of all things and am humbled to be able to call you Lord of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
