January 2020, John
JOHN 1:1-18
Here we are at the beginning of a new year, and today we are examining the opening verses of the Gospel of John. Many people believe that the Christmas Story is told in only two of the Gospels. Yet, this morning you will see that John too is telling the story of the birth of the Christ child, but in a very different manner. John tells the story from the beginning of creation, stressing that Jesus was there from the very beginning of time as we know it, long before He came into our human world in the little town of Bethlehem to proclaim the good news. John talks about no manger, no wise men, nor any fancy gifts to the new born Messiah, he simply tells us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (vs. 14)
These first eighteen verses also contain the theme of John’s entire Gospel. That is, that God sent His son, the divine Savior into the world where He was rejected and persecuted by many. However, all who believe have the power to become children of God, and have been given the gift of eternal life. John’s Gospel makes it clear that the true light enlightens everyone who is open to the Word, and that “no one comes to the Father except through Jesus.” (John 14:6)
It is true that many things change rapidly, like technology for example, but it also true that there are many things that do not change. Just as there were many who rejected Jesus during His time on earth, there are still many who hate and reject him in today’s world. Jesus has told us that many of His followers will be persecuted in His name, and we can see this persecution being played out even in today’s world. The latest example is the three people who were killed by a gunman last Sunday in the West Freeway Church of Christ, in White Settlement, Texas. As sad and disheartening as these incidents are, we know that in the end the darkness can never overtake the light. That in the end, Christ, the light, will prevail.
Most of you know that I was on vacation between Christmas and New Year. It was great because I got some down time just to read and relax. As with any vacation, the time went very fast and I did not get to do all the things that I thought I would do. For example, I had planned to see a couple of movies but never got to the theater. Perhaps some of you took in a movie or two during the holiday. I particularly wanted to see the movie, “Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood.” I am sure we all know the words to Mr. Rodger’s opening song, “It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood, a wonderful day in the neighborhood.”
In Seminary, many of us read hard passage of Scripture in a translation called The Message. The Message is a translation of the New Testament in contemporary language. Let me read John 1:14 to you from this translation. “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” Please take a moment and think what images “your neighborhood” brings to mind. For me, even though I have lived in several different neighborhoods during my lifetime, I immediately think of it as home. The comfy feeling of a place where I can totally be myself, run around in my pajamas all day if I want, and a place I associate with many good smells. The smell of a turkey roasting in the oven, the smell of freshly baked bread, and on and on.
It also evokes thoughts of family, friends, and even those who were not all that friendly. Some of us may have grown up in poorer economic neighborhoods, while others grew up in more affluent ones. The one common thread among us, however, is that Jesus is with us in each and every neighborhood that exists. Jesus does in fact meet each believer where they are!
John’s Gospel contains some of the most beloved images of our relationship with Christ. For example, in John 15, verses 4 and 5, these image building words appear. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing”. Abiding in Christ implies that we are in constant communication with Him, and most importantly, we can abide in Jesus wherever we are.
John’s first eighteen verses in today’s reading also refers to bearing fruit. All of us, like John the Baptist, who John tells us “came as a witness to testify concerning the light so that all might believe,” have a role in proclaiming the awesome presence of God! We have the responsibility of helping others see and abide in the light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we leave here this morning, let us not forget that we are beloved children of God. Jesus gives us both life and light. Jesus is the light, and His life here on earth revealed truths about God the Father. Let us resolve in the upcoming year to develop a richer, fuller faith and a deeper relationship with God. When you partake of the sacrament this morning, may you feel Christ’s loving presence here in this church; for Christ is with us in the sacrament, in our prayers, Christ is with us everywhere. May the love and light of Christ shine in each of our hearts, may we recognize Him in each face that we see, and may we gladly serve Him in our neighborhoods. May we rejoice in the knowledge that the darkness cannot ever overcome the light. May the peace and joy that we find in the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, stay with each of us in the upcoming year! Christ is born and Christ will come again! It is a wonderful day in the neighborhood!
Amen