In the opening verses of John’s gospel, we read that Jesus is the giver of life and light. He was there at the beginning of creation with God and as God, speaking the universe into being. In the fullness of time, he “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.” He came to his own and they did not recognize him, not because they hadn’t been waiting for a Messiah, but because he wasn’t what they were expecting.
They expected a military hero who would wipe out their enemies and restore Israel to its place on top. Instead, Jesus taught about dealing with conflict peacefully and without retaliation. He talked about forgiveness and modeled humility. He invited those who rigidly followed the traditions of their faith to consider whether those traditions were in line with what he called the greatest commandments: loving God and loving neighbor.
Where, in your life and in the world, would you especially like Christ’s light to shine? Where can you see evidence that the darkness cannot overcome light? Where is Jesus ‘living among us’ in our community? How easily and eagerly do you recognize Jesus?
Offer a prayer of hope, inviting Jesus to break into our world once again, bringing life from death and shedding light in the darkness.