Read
John 1:1-12
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God                                                                                             Verse 12 (NIV)

Reflect
The highlighted verse today just resonates so beautifully with the Good News of Jesus. In Jesus there is a place that you belong and where every believer has a place and a belonging.

When you consider the life of Jesus, you realize that a major part of the story of Jesus is the shocking, sad history of how the Son of God was despised, rejected, and betrayed. But, as today’s verses also remind us, God’s light shone in the darkness, and here is the good news, “the darkness has not overcome it.” Instead, the reverse is true: the light has overcome the darkness and it continues to do so!

It is truly amazing that the Holy Spirit can use darkness to lead us to the light. This is the light that brings us back into God’s presence as his loved children – the light of life that lasts forever. At the end of John’s gospel, after he tells the story of Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and resurrection, John clarifies why he has told Jesus’ story: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31)! All who believe are connected to the saviour. We have the opportunity to grow in our understanding and knowledge of God because the Holy Spirit abides in us and teaches us as we stay connected to him.

That opportunity to receive Jesus, to believe in him, is for everyone. Revelation 7:9 describes “a great multitude. . . from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Stay close to Jesus and you will be part of that multitude on the day when Christ returns, or when he calls you home.

Pray
Lord Jesus, I receive you as my God; I believe in you as my Saviour; I embrace you Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.