Who is Jesus? part 12

After a break for Advent, we’re back to John’s Gospel. We are still in the opening song, Chapter 1 verses 1 to 18. For Christmas day I talked about verse 14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” But before we continue to talk about the first joke in John’s Gospel (yes, there are jokes in John’s Gospel) a backtrack to verses 12 and 13.

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 ESVUK

A word about the AI image: With the entire internet at its fingertips, you’d think the first image based on on John’s Gospel would be profound, right? Wrong! Instead, it found a bunch of toddlers who look like they formed a secret society just to discuss it. It’s like, “Sure, the poetic intro talks about people of all ages who receive Him,” but nope, we get the tiny tot brigade instead! Classic AI move—totally artificial and zero intelligence. I had to use it for a laugh!

-o0o-

What is born again?

The phrase “born again” is frequently encountered, particularly among evangelical Christians. However, it is questionable whether all adherents fully grasp its significance. It is clear that this concept transcends mere political affiliations, whether associated with the right or left. Both political ideologies fundamentally revolve around notions of ownership, whether that be individual or state-controlled.

But what do you value? Ask yourself these questions:

•  What makes the most important moments in your life meaningful?
• What makes you feel unsatisfied?
• What is it you like about the people you admire?
• What angers you?

Take your time over them. The answers are your values, these colour everything you believe in, including, presuming you are a Christian, how you pray and how you read the Bible, as well as how you deal with other people. My answers go like this:

• What makes the most important moments in your life meaningful? People, the most important moments have always involved other wonderful people.
• What makes you feel unsatisfied? Being powerless against what I see as injustice in the world. Especially how the most vulnerable people are mistreated.
• What is it you like about the people you admire? Their generosity towards others, especially those who have done nothing to deserve it.
• What angers you? Conflict. I see people being treated badly by others. I cannot watch Eastenders because of the frequent shouty scenes between characters. After thinking about this I had to walk away from the computer to clear my mind.

That’s my list. What’s yours? Are these the values of Jesus?

The idea of being born again comes from Chapter 3 of John’s Gospel. But it is hinted at here in the prologue when John says, “[they] were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” v. 13.

Is being born again just saying the sinners’ prayer? No, it isn’t! The beauty of faith goes beyond a simple recitation. It invites us into a transformative journey where accepting Jesus leads us to embrace a deeper purpose. The Gospel encourages us to reach out in love to others, sharing the wonderful message of salvation while embodying the values of a Saviour who cares for everyone. And I truly mean everyone—there’s a place for all in this beautiful community!

I often share the idea of accepting Jesus when discussing God with others because it resonates with my own journey to faith. However, I’ve encountered numerous wonderful Christians who have drawn closer to Jesus in different ways, whether through observing the kindness Christians extend to others or through the beauty of liturgy. The phrase, “Jesus, I accept you as my own personal Lord and Saviour,” can be comforting, even if it’s not a direct biblical quote. Yet, it’s important to acknowledge that Jesus is ultimately the savior of the world, which invites a sense of community rather than solely focusing on individual experiences. So, what does the Bible truly convey about this?

Whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (John 6:37)

You are only believing half the Gospel message.

If you think becoming a Christian you are only believing half the Gospel message.
If you think being a Christian is only about personal faith ou are only believing half the Gospel message.
If you think caring for others is not part of being a Christian ou are only believing half the Gospel message.

We are called to embody our faith in practical ways. The values of God’s kingdom should be evident in our lives, not merely through pious acts, but in the genuine expressions of God’s love that we extend to others. Remember, God has shown profound love for us in everything we do, and it’s through sharing that love that we truly reflect His grace.

Is Jesus Lord of the fun you have? Is Jesus Lord of your dark times?

If you’re just starting your journey, I encourage you to invite Jesus into your heart. For those of you who’ve been walking with Christ for a while, consider how you can share His profound love with others you meet. It’s important to not only share the message of Jesus but also to respond to the needs of those around you. Empower those who feel powerless, nourish the hungry, and embrace those who are different from you. It was truly humbling when I realized that God’s acceptance and love extend to people I struggle to accept.

Jesus is for all people, and for all parts of your life.

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