John 1:6-9
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 1:6-9 noticing anything that stands out to you.
It is interesting to note that God took steps to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptizer was Jesus’ cousin born only around six to eight months before Jesus. As an adult he moved into the wilderness and began preaching to the people of Israel urging them to turn away from their rebellion against God’s shalom ways and be baptized to show that they would follow God from then on.
Take a moment to get quiet and consider if there are behaviors, or thought patterns, or habits that are keeping you from following God’s good ways for your life. If something comes to mind, confess it to Jesus. Then picture yourself turning away from whatever you identified and entering the “water” of Jesus’ forgiveness. Finally, picture yourself walking out of the water to follow Jesus.
Read John 1:6-9 again paying special attention to John’s use of the word “light.”
John uses legal language in this passage to talk about John the Baptizer’s role as witness to the light who bore testimony about the light.
Pause for a moment to consider times and events in your life where Jesus brought light into a dark situation. Jot down anything that comes to mind. You may not be ready to call yourself a follower of Jesus, but you very likely have had some sort of spiritual experience. If this is the case for you, jot down a few words about that experience.
Sit with these memories for a moment. How could you testify about these events or experiences to others and create a safe space for conversation?
John is very clear about who Jesus is in this passage – he is the true light who gives light to everyone.
For the last moment or two of this meditation, ask Jesus to fill you with light. Then wait in silence.
If during this meditation you have sensed that there is an action you need to take, write it down and make a plan for taking steps in that direction.
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