(1) The unreasonable response v.10-11
When the light came into the world, which was created by Him, He was not being recognized/known and was not received. Received=(NET) acceptance and welcome. "His own," was repeated twice to emphasize this point v.11.
First, when the light shines on darkness the darkness tries to master over the light, but we cannot v.5. Now, His own creation did not welcome the Creator?? Like, the servants do not recognize who their master is, people are just like that and did not recognize Jesus.
(2) On the flip side, those who believe in Him v.12 are those who recognized/knew/received/welcome Him as our Creator. Note, we are always in a mixed environment. Not everyone around us recognizes Jesus. We have to be ready to face the world who are different from us.
On the other hand, when we received Him, He gave a right to become His children. Not as Master/servant, but Father/Son. Therefore, this is a right or an authority.
(3) The Word v.1, who is also the light v.5, the true light v.9 became flesh v.14. From the phrase, "took up residence among us v.14a," one relates Jesus to the tabernacle where God met with Israel while they were in the wilderness in Exodus. When the tabernacle was first set up God's glory filled the tabernacle to the extent that people could not even enter it (Exo 40:34-35). Therefore, the word glory was repeated twice in v.14b and it is very fitting to the context of describing Jesus dwells among man.
However, I did not expect that the most divine expression of that glory was seen in His grace and truth. The author of the Gospel of John, said, "we saw his glory... v.14b" and "we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another v.16." "We" probably refers to John and other believers. To them, grace was not just a theological discussion for John, but also his personal experience. Yes, God is supposed to be gracious and Jesus is God and He is grace. Not only that, but I personally received His grace, one after another.
Reflection: Not everyone welcomes Jesus. Not everyone is the child of God. Not everyone can personally experience grace. Actually, more people do not welcome Jesus/become the child of God/experience grace. Do you take our privileges as the children of God for granted?
What does the phrase, "one gracious gift after another" bring to your mind? To me, my health, our relationship in the family, our financial security are all so very fragile. One wrong sentence the whole family got into a big argument. One wrong "breath" I may get the Covid 19. The fact that we are still having a family, still have health, is because 'one gracious gift after another." How about you?
Audrey
Comments