December 27th - Reflection

John, Apostle and Evangelist
1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us -- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Reflection

The Gospel was no afterthought:
Salvation wasn't an afterthought. This was ready at the formation of the world. God was ready for anything we may do with our freewill. Part of creation was the Word and the Light that would be needed in this world as flesh and blood to save us from sin and death. God wants a relationship with his children. God wants the love of the child and gives love to the child. So...the Gospel was no afterthought.

Jesus is real:
And Jesus is real. Heaven and Earth meet and Jesus becomes flesh. Jesus comes as humankind to save us from sin, death, the devil and our selfishness. Jesus comes as Light and Life to show us the way and the take us back into relationship with God.

We see the Light and Life of Jesus:
As we open our eyes we can't help but to immediately see the Light of Jesus. I have always maintained that it wasn't the star that shone the light on Jesus, it was Jesus that illuminated the star that was pointed straight to Jesus all the time. That's why as the people moved towards Jesus the star continued to point to Jesus. It was Jesus Light that shone in the darkness that lead the people to Jesus as an infant through the start.

We have fellowship with God:
Likewise today, as we believe, Jesus shines his light on and through us and others see us pointing to Jesus. They don't come to us, they go to Jesus of whom we are pointing. It's not about us... it's about Jesus. By pointing to Jesus we aren't attracting followers, we are just telling them where to see Jesus.

Sin:
As the people arrive to Jesus, their sin stands out in boldness before him. They fall humble and repent and Jesus shows each and every one what he has done to save them from sin, death and the devil. And... a star is born. Another person to follow Jesus as disciple, student, and star to point to him.

We are blessed in our relationship with Jesus, the Light and Life of all creation. Thanks be to God!


Prayer
Lord, as I follow the Light and find the Life in you, may I go forth with your Light shining brightly my way that as I point to you all those who see will see you and the Life you have to give. Your Light reflects back to your glory and grace... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen