Scripture
By Sister Deborah Hillman
Scripture Lesson Text: John 1:1-14
Related Scripture: Luke 2: 1-14; Colossians 1: 16-20; Genesis 1: 1-5; Hebrews 1: 1-4; Philippians 2: 6-11
This week’s lesson begins in John 1 with God being the Word and all of creation made by Him.(verses 1-5). We learn He is the Life and Light of the world, and that his light shines in the darkness, but was not received among men. In verses 6-9, tells us a man named John, who is sent by God, bear witness of his light that all men might believe. In the following verses (10-14) says, that they knew him not and they didn’t believe what John was saying.
Therefore, those that believed were given the power to become sons of God, not born of blood, or will of the flesh, nor of man, but of God (spiritual birth vs. 13). Such life is experienced only by those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. This life found in Jesus is that which delivers individuals from the darkness of sin. Only the true Light is able to provide spiritual understanding for all people. Those who repent of their sins and believe in Him will actually receive the life-saving light that He bestows.
In the Related Scriptures; Luke 2: 1-14 shows us of the decree sent out by Caesar Augustus that all will be taxed, and that every person went to their town of birth including Joseph and Mary whose time of child birth was near. Colossians 1: 16-20 reminds us that all creation was made by God and that nothing was made without his hand. Genesis 1: 1-5 tells us in the beginning God made the heavens and the earth, the light and dark, the day and night and when He finished called this the first day. Hebrews 1: 1-4 emphasizes the deity of Christ, as the Creator of all things. Philippians 2: 6-11 is a call to believers to live in the identity of who they are in Christ and to follow Jesus’ pattern of patience, humility and obedience.
Synopsis
By Elder Janice Hall
The Son of God is called the Word, as was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father’s mind to the world. We see Jesus as God and as the One who reveals the unseen God to us. Jesus Christ Is the eternal Word, the Creator of everything who took on flesh and blood so that we could behold God’s glory. When the beginning began, the Word already existed.
We see in John 1:6-14, John the Baptist work was focused on bringing people to faith in Jesus the Messiah. John’s mission is that of a prophetic forerunner to testify of the Messianic Light. His ministry was the “ call of repentance “ from sin to all people. There were different responses to the manifestation of the Light of the World, such as the world did not know him, his own people rejected him, and the disciples believed in him.
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not”( John1:11). Even in rejection, Jesus continues to shine the ultimate glory of God, because of the power of transforming individuals who will believe! Those who reject the light of Jesus, continue to move hopelessly in a dark world. When we became Christians, receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are born again into a new family. He deserves our praise ,our worship, and our daily proclamation of His love towards us for our salvation.
Practical Application
By Sister Tarae King
This week’s lesson text is a perfect scripture for the holiday season because it speaks about the revelatory nature of Jesus. The use of “word” refers to Jesus. So we can see that Jesus has always been with God and He is one with God. He is the light that shines into the darkness. Those that do not follow Jesus will be left in that darkness.
God knew that Jesus would not be accepted by all, so He sent John as a witness so that all men might believe. Now we as believers are called to share the good news of Jesus. We have the opportunity to shine his light on those who do not know Him as well as believers who need to be lifted up.
Jesus is the only way to the Father. No sin is too great to turn to Jesus. This holiday season, I pray that all will be encouraged as we remember the reason for the season; the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
