Graham Shearer continued his mini-series on John chapter 1, focusing on verses 6-13.
Having thought the week before on who Jesus is, this week we were challenged as to our verdict of Jesus. This verdict will ultimately shape our whole life.
1. A witness rejected
“THERE WAS A MAN SENT FROM GOD, WHOSE NAME WAS JOHN”
The Gospel of John introduces us to another John, John the Baptist, whose job was to bear witness to the true light. John the Baptist came at the end of a long line of prophets sent from God to point us to Jesus. It is clear that John isn’t the true light but is simply witnessing to it and demanding a verdict.
The true light is the One through whom the world was made and the One whom the world belongs to. However, the original verdict was negative.
“THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNISE HIM, HIS OWN DID NOT RECEIVE HIM”
Graham used Pascal’s wager to help us understand that this isn’t a rational reaction. Humanity is biased. Our verdict is based on our passions. We refuse the light because we are sinners. We don’t want to give up control of our lives. We don’t want our lives, and our hidden areas, to be exposed. We should be challenged by verses 10 and 11 as we think of our reaction to Jesus.
2. Believers received
Praise God that rejection isn’t the only response.
“YET TO THOSE WHO DID RECEIVE HIM…”
A positive verdict of Jesus means we become the children of God; our status is changed. If we receive Jesus, God will receive us. We can confidently step into the light out of the darkness and find acceptance, healing, and love.
Reflect
- What is your verdict on Jesus? Have you rejected Jesus? Have you received Jesus?
- Do you need to receive Jesus for the first time right now?
- If you have received Jesus, then you ARE the children of God. Spend some time rejoicing on that change of status and thanking the Lord for all that means for us.
