The Word Became Flesh
JOHN 1
As we kick off this season of lent, we begin in the first 18 verses of John 1, an introduction to the gospel. Looking at verses 9-14 specifically:
Verse 10 says “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” From the moment sin entered the world it created a separation between us and God. In our rebellion we turned from our very creator and the heartbreaking reality of our fallen world is evident today. Around this time two years ago, a quarantine marked the beginning of a now two year long global pandemic. At the very moment I sit writing this devotional, Russia has launched military strikes across Ukraine. By the time you read this, you’ve likely seen the many heartbreaking headlines to follow, yet this is still only a mere glimpse into the extent of brokenness in our world. We ourselves desperately need the hope of the gospel to lift our gaze and remind us of the hope we have in Christ. How much more then, do those who do not yet have this hope need to hear the most beautiful and transformative truth of our lives.
Our sin and rebellion are deserving of wrath and eternal separation from God. Yet, we find our hope in the fact that the story doesn’t end there. We read in verse 14 that our perfect God took on flesh. The very word by which all things came to be, would dwell among us in order to ultimately pay the price for our sin and rebellion, to be in relationship with us.
Verse 9 talks about the true light that was coming into the world, and verses 12-13 make it clear that everyone who believes in Him has the right to become children of God. During Easter we celebrate that the light has come! As the Holy Spirit now indwells us, we have been given the responsibility to be beacons of light, pointing people towards the opportunity to be in relationship with the Lord. This weary world does not know it’s own savior, and as brokenness abounds, we must invite others to share in the grace and mercy we have now been clothed in.
It is so easy for us to become consumed by the present realities of this world. Whether it’s our personal lives or what we see in the news, we’re distracted from the hope which transcends this world. In this season of lent, we have an opportunity to ask ourselves what good thing can be set aside in these next 40 days, to in turn fix our eyes on what we have in Christ that is far better. My hope is that we would be so rooted in the gospel, that even as we mourn brokenness, we would not fall into despair. In our own weariness, would we first be reminded that God is near to us. As darkness abounds, would we remember the glorious light we have in Christ. From this place, as we prepare for the coming celebration of Easter, would we proclaim the hope we have in Christ alone.
Today ask yourself these questions:
What needs to take place in my heart in preparation for this coming celebration?
What does it look like for me to draw near to God throughout these weeks?
Who in my life needs to hear about the hope found in Jesus Christ?
