Pause for thought
As we pause today, let us join with the praise of all God's people in these words from Psalm 3.
You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
(Psalms 3:3-5)
Bible Reading: John 1:9-12
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
A Reflection:
As we wonder at the mystery of God, my thoughts are caught by the idea that Jesus, the true light, gives light to everyone. Not just to believers but to everyone.
In what ways do you think that the light of Christ shines on everyone, of all faiths and of none?
Are there good things that you have done that have not been recognised or valued by others? How did that feel? John tells us that even though the world was made through Jesus, the world did not recognise him. I wonder how he felt. Can you share your own feelings with Jesus now?
John also tells us that Jesus came to his own people, but they did not receive him. Who do you know who has not yet recognised or received Jesus? Don’t give up praying for them, praying that they will recognise the light of Christ, receive him, and become a child of God.
As I think about becoming a child of God, I think of my family, indeed of all families. We enter our families as babies, vulnerable, helpless and ignorant, children of our parents. Throughout our lives we remain children of our parents, but we don’t remain babies, we grow in strength, we grow in maturity and we grow in wisdom.
Jesus tells us that when we enter the Christian family we enter as babies, spiritually vulnerable, helpless and ignorant. Throughout the rest of our lives we remain children of our Heavenly Father but let us not remain babies. Let us instead grow in spiritual strength, in Godly wisdom and Christian maturity.
Pray:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that by receiving you I have become a child of God.
Help me to grow in my faith day by day.
Help me also to encourage those who don’t know you to recognise you and to receive you for themselves. Amen
Father God, I wonder