Lent Devotional April 1, 2018
Scripture
John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 A ll things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.* 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,* and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,* full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,* who is close to the Father’s heart,* who has made him known.
Devotional
Written by the Rev. Dr. Christine Chakoian, PTS Vice President for Seminary Advancement
The light shining in the darkness. Usually we link this image from John with Christmas, when the winter solstice brings the longest night, and we light our candles to testify to the inextinguishable light that is born in Jesus Christ.
Yet Holy Week reminds us that there is still more terrifying darkness on earth than the yearly limitation of the sun—the darkness produced by the sin of humanity. Christ’s death on the cross exposes that darkness, manifested by cynical political powers, well-intended religious leaders, passive crowds, and frightened followers.
Christ’s crucifixion did not eradicate the darkness born of sin. We know it still. Yet this we also know: Christ’s resurrection reveals that all the darkness in the world can never overcome the light. God’s will is stronger than the will of our flesh; God’s grace is more enduring than our sin; and God’s true light will someday enlighten everyone. This is the promise of Easter.
Prayer
Gracious God, we praise you that your light prevails; for no darkness can ever overcome it. Open our eyes today, and in this season to come, that we might see signs of your light everywhere: in places of grace, in testimonies of truth, in acts of Godly power, and in the glory of your risen Son. In his enduring name we pray. Amen.
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