“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17
Through Moses, God gave us His law, revealing our utter sinfulness and unworthiness before God. In Christ Jesus, God’s grace and truth came to us, revealing the salvation He has lovingly provided us through Christ’s cross. For the sake of Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, God reaches out to us with mercy and forgiveness, and we receive from God grace upon grace when we look to Jesus in faith.
Thank You, O gracious Savior, for continually granting me mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Your atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of all. Amen.
“John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.”’” John 1:15
Though John was born several months before Jesus and began his ministry before Jesus, John said Jesus was preferred before him and was before him because Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh and blood and became true man that He might redeem fallen mankind.
Grant that I point people to You, O Lord, for You are the eternal Son of God and the only Savior of the world. Amen.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
We receive the right and privilege to become children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Gal. 3:26ff.), but even that faith by which we receive and take hold of Christ and the blessings of forgiveness and life eternal He won for us on the cross is not of our will or choosing. It is a rebirth worked in us by God the Holy Spirit through hearing the Gospel message and being baptized in Jesus’ name.
Thank You, O gracious God, for making me Your child through faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior. Amen.
“That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:9-11
It is a sad truth that Jesus made the world and gave life to all, yet people do not know Him or trust Him as their God and Life-giver! Even His own people — including the religious leaders of Israel — did not accept Him as the Son of God and their Messiah and Savior! What about you today?
Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I hear Your Word and believe You created me and gave me life. You are the true Light. You reveal to me my utter sinfulness and Your judgment against sin, and You reveal to me that there is forgiveness and life through faith in Your name. Grant that I repent of my sinful ways and trust You as my Savior. Amen.
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5
Now, since the fall into sin, Christ Jesus and His saving truth shine in this dark and sinful world, but people cannot understand and grasp God’s truth and the life Jesus offers and gives.
Grant us Your Holy Spirit, O Lord, so that we might see and take hold of the truth of Your Word and trust in Jesus Christ, our Savior. In His name, we pray. Amen.
