John 1:12-13

Who is Jesus? part 10

(Written for publication on 18th November 2024)

We may be far from Christmas, but we’re knee-deep in the season of gift-giving contemplation. The thrill of wondering “What am I going to get?” is still a month away, but for now, it’s all about strategising “What am I going to give?” Will my gift even be appreciated? It’s the annual existential crisis in the form of wrapping paper and bows!

¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13

Let me first say that I cannot wrap gifts as neatly as those in the picture above, I’ve not received many wrapped that neatly either.

I left the last blog post on a cliffhanger. The Light has entered the scene, but creation has swiped left on the Light, like a bad Tinder date. Who would have thought that creation would be so picky about the Light who created everything?

Verse 12 is so full of meaning that I’ll break it down:

• But … The next word is BUT. Rejection is not the end.
• But to all … Yes ALL. Everyone is invited, the Light has come for everyone, and no one is excluded due to sex, gender, sexuality, age, ethnicity, disability or anything else.
• Who received him … The light came, that is the big part, ours is the small part, down to us to respond as a response to him coming.
• Who believed … This is not academic belief, as in “I believe the capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou.” It is not the belief that something exists or has happened, but contains trust.
• In his name … The term “believe in his name” is curious. Both ‘believe’ and ‘name’ here are about trusting in what the name means. That name has not been revealed yet in John’s Gospel, it is being left to the end of this introductory song.
• He gave the right … Yes it is a right, a privilege, those who turn God down don’t know what they’re missing.
• To become children of God … It’s a relationship, you become part of a family. The family of God.

Verse 13 is often overlooked, and it’s understandable how such meaningful verses can sometimes go unnoticed. In one commentary I came across, it was briefly mentioned, saying, “John says more about this new birth in John 3,” before moving on. It’s important to highlight John’s words about those who accepted him. This concept parallels the virgin birth as described in Matthew and Luke, emphasizing that this new birth isn’t a result of human actions. decisions or physical union, but rather, a direct act of God.

The Light is still shining, have you received him and become a child of God?

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