The book of John begins
like the book of Genesis. In this passage John tells us the focus of his
book – Jesus. John also gives us a theme of his book that will be the
focus of our study this week. John argues that Jesus came to bring light to the
world and came full of truth. Jesus, according to John, is the ultimate source
of truth. As you read today, look for the different ways that John points to
Jesus as the truth in the world.
STUDY THE SCRIPTURE
Click here to access the reading from John 1:1-14
REFLECTION
The Light of The World
by Andrea Taphorn
If you read the news, hear
the news, watch the news, or scroll through any sort of social media platform,
you will experience the fact that truth feels and appears elusive right now. I
don’t know about you, but I feel tired. You may have read that sentence, and just
now thought, “Well, I follow in the footsteps of Socrates’ quest for wisdom
through science, reasoning and intellect.”
For scientific reasoning,
doubt is the main engine of knowledge. This is the foundation for classical
skepticism. You may be saying to me, “Work harder at reading and understanding
the data, Andrea.” And while I read and
will continue to read the news and I deeply respect the field of science; I
also know that neither of these disciplines deliver me truth.
I love these verses from
the beginning of the gospel of John. John says that Jesus is the word of God
and that word creates reality. That word defines truth. The word of God is
Christ and Christ is truth. Here in these verses we see that what God says, God
does. And what God does, God says.
God authors creation and
life into existence through Christ. God’s word creates something new out of
nothing. God’s word for us in Christ, kills old sinners and raises new saints. God’s
word functions on your eyes and works like a cornea transplant to see with eyes
of faith. God’s word functions on the body to open your hands to serve and care
for your enemy. God’s word functions on your mind bringing about faith and
trust. God’s word functions on your heart softening it to love. God’s word
functions on your soul to press out hope.
What kind of authority is
this? Reading the news or understanding science cannot come close to this kind
of power and authority. And, once you’ve experienced it, as painful as it is to
be killed and brought to new life, well… you just can’t get enough of it. This
gospel word given to us in Christ—a lived, died, and raised to new life word authors
and creates our lives. And don’t forget that this word, first says, you are
sinner.
Jesus promises something important
about sin. He forgives it. So, be put to death sinner and be raised to new life
in faith. This Gospel truth will forever transcend any other news or
information in our lives. It re-centers and resets our minds in faith and trust
in Christ.
UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER
MONDAY - MEDICAL
PERSONNEL
Pray for our doctors, nurses, and all medical
professionals to have strength, wisdom, endurance, and alertness.
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