John 1:9-18
9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ “) 16 From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and trust came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
When I read this text, I remember a Wednesday Worship service about the Light that was coming into the world. Those sessions were always encouraging and filled with hope. Anything that reminds me of those days is a welcome respite in the chaos of today’s world.
The fact that no one, other than Jesus, has seen God and the only people who saw Jesus saw him over two thousand years ago testifies to me of the power of faith. My relationship with God is not something I can see or show another, but it is something I know and feel. And inasmuch as it guides me away from sinful actions and reactions, others can see the power of that faith as well through my behavior.
I am reminded of the children’s hymn ‘This Little Light of Mine.’ I don’t think so – it’s not my light. We are talking about the Light of the World. I pray that it continues to be a guiding light for us believers and a light to safety and peace for those who are lost and those in darkness.
-John Johnson