It seems no matter how much people are encouraged to read their Bibles and pray, they struggle from it falling to the bottom of their priority list until they are barely doing it at all. Doesn’t it seem odd to you that the things that matter least to us fight for the lion’s share of our attention, and the things that we know deep down matter the most receive little or suffer from lost attention? Our intimate pursuit and worship of God, our appreciation and time with those we really love, and our quest for a healthy lifestyle—these are what make our life rich and bring the happiness and contentment we’re looking for. And yet we cave in and give most of our attention to the very things that discourage and steal from our life.

It is an understanding of this that brings insight to how these words concerning Jesus could have possibly been true: “The true Light (Jesus) that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:9-11)

The words “…that gives light to every man was coming into the world” reveals that Jesus was that light—He was and is the one that could show us the meaning of life and everything about it. He is the one that can give us direction in our life. He is the only one that can illuminate to us what is and isn’t important throughout our life’s daily pursuit. He is the one who shines the light on the wisdom and attitude we need to conduct ourselves in a way that leads to favor and blessing. The world searches for the purpose of life and the manner in which it should be conducted, but avoids the one who knows the answers, and desires to reveal them to us. How could that be?

The words “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him” reveals that He is the author of every good thing. He alone knows what is good and evil. From the beginning, He tried to help Adam and Eve understand it, so they could make right choices. Today, He is still here, in the moment, to “light” our path and show us the right decisions to make. The world looks to everyone except the very author of creation and wisdom. How could that be?

The words “…the world did not recognize Him” reveals that the world—and let’s bring this down to our daily world—those we’ll encounter today—did not recognize Him, the author of all, the creator of all things, the mighty God, our Heavenly Father, our Prince of peace. They didn’t recognize Him. How could that be?

Here is the really difficult and unbelievably sad part. “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” We may have received Him as our Savior, but will we receive Him into our schedule that screams for our attention today? Will we receive Him into our fellowship and thinking so that He can show us what is good and what we should avoid? Will we receive Him into our decision-making process and let him take lead in the decisions we make? Will we prioritize times of intimacy where we purposefully worship Him for who He is and thank Him for all He has been in our lives. And pray that He illuminate what we need to know and hear from Him today?

These verses reveal that “… His own did not receive Him.” Are we any different? Will we be guilty of the same? Or will we receive Him today, tomorrow and the days ahead. He is the light of men. He is your light and privileges you with being the light of Him to this world today. I pray that we let Him illuminate our lives today so that we can become what He wanted to infuse us with—His light! The world is dark and needs His light. So please, let’s embrace Him today! Let’s let His word speak to our heart and produce a result that reflects in our life—today! And because He and His Word does impact our life today, let’s let His light shine through us to others today! This is how the touch of Jesus reaches our world. This is the meaning of life that the world did not receive!

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matt. 5:14-16)

Copyright © Fresh Manna by Tim Burt
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