9/16/16
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
What do we find about this character, the light, the one who was God? In John 1:9-13 we have a bold statement. He is enlightening every human who comes into the world. This very world which he created is the place he remains. Yet his own creation does not know him. His own people do not receive him.
This is a tragic statement. Consider what it would be like to come to your own living and breathing creation, the people you have known and loved throughout the ages, caring for each detail of their lives, only to go unrecognized. Yet here the author is gentle. Not only do the people of God not recognize their creator, many reject him outright. Sadness and anger should go hand in hand.
We realize now that God is not like we are. We would respond to such rejection with anger and by rejecting our own creation. Yet for all those believing, God himself makes them children. They are not merely tolerated. They are not merely associates or friends. They are children. And they are not born by accident of any sort. They are born of the will of God.
Do you doubt your identity? Your sense of belonging? Know that if you are believing on Jesus, you can have confidence that he has chosen you to be born, of his own will, not your own will. The creator and sustainer of all has made you his own child. Here is all the identity and confidence we will ever need.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
What do we find about this character, the light, the one who was God? In John 1:9-13 we have a bold statement. He is enlightening every human who comes into the world. This very world which he created is the place he remains. Yet his own creation does not know him. His own people do not receive him.
This is a tragic statement. Consider what it would be like to come to your own living and breathing creation, the people you have known and loved throughout the ages, caring for each detail of their lives, only to go unrecognized. Yet here the author is gentle. Not only do the people of God not recognize their creator, many reject him outright. Sadness and anger should go hand in hand.
We realize now that God is not like we are. We would respond to such rejection with anger and by rejecting our own creation. Yet for all those believing, God himself makes them children. They are not merely tolerated. They are not merely associates or friends. They are children. And they are not born by accident of any sort. They are born of the will of God.
Do you doubt your identity? Your sense of belonging? Know that if you are believing on Jesus, you can have confidence that he has chosen you to be born, of his own will, not your own will. The creator and sustainer of all has made you his own child. Here is all the identity and confidence we will ever need.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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