John 1:3-5
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 1:3-5 pausing after each verse to let the words sink in.
The “him” John refers to is Jesus, the defining Word for all of life and the one through whom everything was created.
If everything we are and everything we see was created through Jesus, what implications does this have for how we choose to live our lives? Pause to ponder this question and talk with Jesus about your answer.
Read John 1:3-5 again slowly and thoughtfully.
John wants us to know at the outset of his Gospel that the source of life and light is Jesus. Consider this in silence for a moment.
Read John 1:3-5 a third time noticing any words that stand out to you or any emotional reactions you might have.
John says that the life of Jesus brought light to everyone. When Jesus was born into our world, he brought with him the Kingdom of God and the shalom that characterizes God’s kingdom. Shalom is the state of being where everything is the way God originally intended it to be. Shalom is light and walking in the well-lit way of Jesus allows us to experience shalom and spread it to the world around us.
Using the ideas of light and darkness, how would you describe the last few weeks or months of your life? Take a moment to talk with Jesus about this.
There are times in our lives when darkness seems to outweigh light. What do you think, or how do you feel about John’s statement that the darkness can never extinguish the light?
Faith means trusting that Jesus is the source of light and he will never leave us or forsake us. If we continue to follow Jesus and place our trust in him in dark seasons of our lives, we can hold onto the hope that light will break through.
Sit with this thought for a moment and then talk with Jesus about anything you are thinking or feeling. Consider asking Jesus to increase your ability to recognize glimmers of his light.
If there is something Jesus is inviting you to do in response to this time of meditation, take a first step now.
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
