John 1 (NRSV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 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 own 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 truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
Christ was God’s intention from the foundation of the earth.
Here are some questions for reflection:
1. How might knowing that Jesus is the intention of God for our prospering (light, life, wholeness) affect our actual circumstances? How could this show in our lives?
2. Given that the world can only “respond” to intention, how do we make choices that respond to this intention of God in either direction?
3. Pastor Trey said the answer to God’s Intention is simply yes or no. In what tangible ways can we say yes to the light in our lives? What posture do we need to then assume in order to be authentic conduits of His light into the world once we do? What would a “no” look like?
4. Is there anything that surprises you about hearing that God is committed to your wholeness and to bringing light and life into the world and your own life?
5. Light reveals things. When you think about your own life, what feelings does the revelation of light bring up? Do you feel freer? More restricted? How does considering God’s “light” in your life make you feel?
6. John the Baptist, as prophesied, “came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.” Has there been anyone in your life that has helped to point you toward the grace and truth of Jesus?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider:
1. A lot is revealed to us in this passage about the nature of Jesus, His purpose, and God’s plan. What does John specifically tell us about Jesus in the following verses: John 1:2________? John 1:3_______? John 1:9 _____? John 1:17_______? John 1:18________?
2. We are told in this story that when we see Jesus we see all that God is for us. And later we’re told that Jesus is the Way. In your own words, how is Jesus “the Way” for you? Is Jesus the way out? the way forward? The way in?
3. By the end of his natural life, Jesus had been offered a way out several times. He was offered a way out through giving in to the devil. He was offered a way out through violence as expressed by his closest followers. He was even offered a way out by just asking his father to divert his death. What does Jesus’ choice tell you about our own lives and our own ways in our circumstances?
4. Some have said that God as Creators came into this created world to “take what it is we go through.” If this is a way of looking at intention and incarnation, what does that mean for us? How can we apply this in the ordinary choices in our lives? How can we apply this in our failure and pain and despair and oppression?