John 1:12
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.
And here is the turn. The turn from disobedience, lack of recognition, and rejection. The turn toward life, and light, and joy. For while many rejected the Word of light and life, not all did. And those who received him he blessed with the possibility to become the children of God.
John in this verse foreshadows the whole of the gospel, the struggle between light and darkness, life and death, hope and despair. But he also announces a major theme that will run throughout his work: the importance of belief.
Belief in John’s Gospel, however, is far more than mere intellectual assent. Belief – or, as John puts it here, believing in his name – is acknowledging that Jesus is the Messiah of God not simply in word but also in deed. Believing is keeping faith with Jesus. Believing is being willing to suffer the consequences of being a disciple and follower of Jesus.
While the consequences for us who believe in Jesus today are few, if any, in the time John wrote one of the major consequences for believing was rejection – being cast out from one’s synagogue, family, and friends. And it is likely that many in John’s community would have experienced that. So this verse helps to remind them, and perhaps also us, what is at stake. Many, perhaps most, rejected Jesus, but to those who believed in word and deed, Jesus gave the power to become children of God.
It was a huge promise. And it still is.
Prayer: Dear God, keep us in the faith, reminding us always of what you have done for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Belief in Jesus must be lived out in word and deed. It is simply not enough to say I believe, but that is the first step to being a disciple of Jesus. We have a number of millienials in our congregation who live with a sense of entitlement to God’s grace without giving of oneself in service to the Lord. I am always lifting up to my confirmation students, the importance of service in being a disciple of Jesus; to be that active light of Christ in the lives of others. Thanks for all that you do in service to the Lord.