Thursday 14 July 2022

I love the beginning of John’s gospel. These verses are a jam-packed introduction to Jesus, highlighting so many aspects of who he is. But I want to focus today on him being light.

What is light like? It is attractive, it is warm, it is revealing, it shows us the way. Jesus is attractive, he is warm, he reveals truth, and he shows us the way to God.

How is Jesus attractive? The Bible tells us that physically he was nothing to look at (Isaiah 53:2b). But his words and his miracles attracted crowds. His wisdom amazed and attracted people. He warmly reached out to the marginalised in society, welcoming them and including them. Think of Zacchaeus being called down from his tree perch to share lunch with Jesus. Or the women to whom he first showed himself after his resurrection, trusting them in a society where women were considered untrustworthy. Jesus continues to draw to be attractive today, drawing in people from all nationalities, cultures and socio-economic levels. To those who find and accept him he is saviour, friend, healer and Lord.

Jesus is also revealing. He reveals our sin – encouraging us to accept his free gift of forgiveness and nudging us toward transformation to become more like him. He also reveals encouragements and corrections and deeds he has prepared for us to do as we learn to pray and listen to him.

Finally, like light, he shows us the way. Jesus is the way to the Father, the truth and life for us all.

Thank you, Jesus, for all that you are. Thank you that you are light. Help me to walk in your light always. Amen

Written by Megan Cornell