Wilmot First Presbyterian Church

SCRIPTURE:  John 1:1-14 

GOSPEL OF JOHN

     John is not the black sheep of the Gospels.  John is the technicolor, tie-dyed, neurodivergent sheep who saw deeper meaning in everything.  John didn’t color outside the lines, he just saw the lines as a metaphor for something deeper.  I do John an injustice if I imply he zigged when everyone else zagged, but he is clearly different.  John saw things on a different level and Jesus loved him, perhaps despite that or perhaps because of it (13:23, 19:26, 20:2, etc.).  James and John were brothers and two of the first disciples called (Mark 1, Matt. 4, Luke 5).  Jesus refers to them as the “Sons of Thunder”.  It appears they were feisty (zealots) but somewhere along the years, John became much more introspective.  Everything that happened or that Jesus did had a double meaning.  John’s language is simple but in many ways the Gospel of John is the most profound of the four Gospels. 

     In the Gospel of John, Jesus wasn’t tied to Abraham (Matthew), Jesus wasn’t tied to Adam (Luke), Jesus was “life” and “ light” and “Word” and nothing short of God himself.  In John we reach for a Jesus we can’t touch (20:17), and yet one who tells a disbelieving Thomas to put his hand into his side (20:27), and who appears more intimate than in any of the other Gospels.  In John, Jesus is the creator of all that exists (1:3) and yet calls the disciples “friends” (15:14) and joins them for breakfast after his resurrection (21:12). 

     John never mentions a manger, nor Bethlehem.  Perhaps the image of the Creator stepping into His creation through the door of a barn was too harsh even for John?  Perhaps the thought that the Creator of the universe would step in at all was beyond what he could express?  What is clear is that a very real Christ in a very real creation transcends it all in a very real way.  To prepare for the Christ is to move beyond all comprehension and feeble attempts to explain what can only be experienced.  For John, to prepare means we must open ourselves fully for the Holy Spirit.  This is not without risk if you are one who fears losing control, for the Holy Spirit moves where it will (3:8), but what a glorious ride it will take you on. 

PRAYER:  Holy God, why You have chosen to love us and share our lot is a mystery we cannot fathom.  We praise You for this creation and we praise You for the call to transcend it with You.  What our minds cannot grasp, allow our ears and hearts to know.  In Jesus’ name, AMEM 

ACTIVITY:  Which symbol used at Christmas time is the most important to you?  What does it represent to you?