JOHN 1:9-13 BE A CURVE-BREAKER

9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

It may seem incredible to us that the world could have simply not noticed that Jesus existed at all. Yet, when we analyze our own world we can realize that there are many, especially in the 10 40 window (groups living between north latitudes 10 and 40 degrees) that have never had the Gospel presented to them verbally and live in ignorance of Jesus even today. Further thought will reveal that many in our own culture are indifferent to his ever having existed. Whether the world around us is thought to be the product of primal spirits or chance, these people do not recognize Jesus as the Word of Creation.

Even more tragic is that “his own,” those who were the recipients of the prophecies and promises, and worse yet, those who live thousands of years after his coming and have access to the Bible, have rejected him. Jesus was given over to crucifixion by the Jews. Mohammed rejected the possibility of the deity of Christ. Some Christian churches today deny that Jesus was the Son of God incarnate. As Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34), he weeps over the ones who actively reject him today.

But the good news is that in every generation there are those who believed in him. Believers are the curve-breakers in the classroom of this world. It is possible to know Jesus, but we cannot accomplish it on our own. Those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God (his name) are given “the right to become children of God” by him. To become a true believer takes the combination of our faith and God’s faithfulness. As the creative Word, life is spoken into creation by God; the Word that was incarnated in Jesus. As creatures we receive our true life through God’s Word. It is when we acknowledge our dependence upon God and believe that Jesus is the source of eternal life that we are born by God as his children. As curve-breakers we are not to gloat, but rather we need to be willing to tutor our fellow classmates in the ways of God.

Lord Jesus, as you came into the world as the incarnate Word I receive you into my life. I acknowledge you as the Creator and Redeemer of the world and the sovereign Lord of my life. Thank you for your self-revelation in Scripture and through the Church. As you bring me closer to yourself grow me as an obedient child of the Father. Amen.