Wednesday, December 14, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
John 1:10–14

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (NRSV)

Reflection

I find this passage to be pretty overwhelming. It’s a foundational part of our faith and communicates so much in just a few words. But the incarnation—God becoming flesh—is such a life-altering idea that trying to describe what it means to me feels impossible.

In this reading, there are two specific things that grabbed me. The first is the power in the phrase “we have seen the glory.” Jesus being God and taking on human form is simply indescribable. God’s grace and truth were directly present in our physical world. It’s awe-inspiring to think about.

The second is that while his glory was apparent, Jesus also became vulnerable just as we are, experiencing life as we do. He went through pain, rejection, and loneliness just as we do.

This dichotomy between power and vulnerability is one of those ideas that makes this faith click for me, and it’s what I hope to keep in mind this Advent season.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your overwhelming love, which was so great that you became flesh to live among us. Thank you for your overwhelming grace and truth. Help me live that into this world. Amen.

Written by Jared Light, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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