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Read John 1:1-14
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1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In this introduction, the Apostle John invites us to enter the pages of Scripture and hear the testimony of those who encountered Jesus Christ. He invites us to hear his own witness, the witness of John the Baptist, and the witness of many others who desire to introduce us to the one who came into the world as the true Light shining in the midst of our darkness. The words written in these pages tell us about the Word who was with God at the beginning of creation and in fact, was himself God. We are embarking on an adventure to encounter God who took on human flesh and dwelt among these witnesses in order to accomplish all things needed to give us the right to become children of God. When confronted by the actual presence, actions, and teaching of Jesus, some received Him in faith while others rejected Him. Over the next couple of months as we make our journey through John we will be shown Jesus, the Son of God, full of grace and truth, who gives life and salvation. We receive him by faith.
Prayer: Almighty God, you sent your Son into the world in order that all might believe and become your children. As I read the testimony of John, open my eyes to see with new clarity things I may not have known or realized before that bear witness to the salvation Christ has accomplished and how he imparts that gift to me. Amen.