JohnBlog - Word&LightSample

JohnBlog - Word&Light Day 20 This is the good news of Jesus expressed in its simplest terms. In these two verses, the mysteries of New Testament are resolved. There is one condition an individual needs to fulfill to receive new life: To those who received him, he gave. What does it mean to receive him? John elaborates with only one more idea: To those who believe in his name, he gave. What do we need to believe in? We need to believe in his name. John has introduced Jesus by only two names at this point: The Word and the True Light. In Biblical culture, names carry meaning. When the disciple said ‘In the name of Jesus of Nazareth stand up and walk’, he wasn’t using the name as a magic word. He was claiming to speak on behalf of Jesus, according to the character, purpose and mission of Jesus. To believe in ‘his name’ means to believe in all that the name represents. We may assume that what is revealed in the two names John has so far given us is sufficient as something to believe in, in order receive the right to become children of God. To all those who believe that the Word was with God in the beginning, was God, made all things, and is the source of the life that is the light of all mankind, he gives the right to become Children of God. Any additional layers of understanding, imagery, religious practice, theory and doctrine found elsewhere in the New testament should be interpreted in the light of this simple and powerful statement. We must believe that Jesus came from God to communicate God and bring light and life and we must also receive him. The Disciple: What must I do to be saved? The Father: Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household. The Disciple: But I understand so little. I am confused by so much. I cannot follow the theology of clever preachers, I am saddened, even repulsed, by many who call themselves followers of Jesus. All I know is that I have seen Jesus in the pages of the book, heard his whispers in dreams of the night and glimpsed his glory in people living lives of grace and truth. The Father: Then you are ready for the Kingdom my child. Welcome in.