The book of John is a record of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life. It provides eyewitness testimony of one of Jesus’ closest followers. The main theme is that the Word became human in Jesus also named the Son of God, Son of man, or the Messiah.

Reading the first passage John 1:1-18 as we journey through the book, we note that the Word was with God from the very beginning and made all things (v. 1-3). Jesus is the Word who came to earth in the flesh.

John the Baptist is the one who bears witness to the light which shines in darkness bringing grace and truth. Jesus is the Light of the world whose appearance in the flesh is to reveal God’s plan for us.  We are to follow God’s life plan or Way, reflect His view, and shine the light for others so they know what to do.

I remember years ago when a bird got into the sanctuary at our church. After a while of trying to get the bird out of the sanctuary, someone thought of an idea. We would turn out the lights and open up the side door. The bird saw the light and escaped to freedom.

It’s the same with us as we live in a sometimes dark world. If the Word of God is opened, we can see the Light and be set free. We can study, pray, and apply our faith by following Jesus who is the Light to freedom. Then we can help reveal this Light to the world by bearing witness to the freedom gained by following the Light.  

We may be going in the right direction at times, but the world gets us off track. There is one door that opens to heaven, to harmony, peace, and joy. The other door leads to the way of the world which leads to strife, war, hunger, and ultimate death. The key to heaven’s door is the Cross. Those of faith accept what Christ did on the Cross, receive grace, salvation, and eternal life.

This day with God, we are thankful for Jesus … Word in the Flesh to give us an example to follow. With the Word, the universe is illuminated with Light in the darkness. The spark of Light began when the Son of Man came down to earth. At that point in time, grace kept on giving and the Light kept on shining. There was no more worry which only brings darkness to diminish the growth of our faith. There is only the Good News of His Word which shines a Light to the clearing along the path. The Light shines to provide food that produces much success and fruitfulness for His glory. Amen.