John 1:1-18.                        A positive Light for the New Year                              4/1/2015

 (1)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was with God in the beginning. {3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. {4} In him was life, and that life was the light of men. {5} The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. {6} There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. {7} He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. {8} He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. {9} The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. {10} He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. {11} He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. {12} Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- {13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. {14} The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. {15} John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" {16} From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. {17} For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. {18} No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

 As we begin another year we have many ominous signs pointing to real difficulties and possible tragedies ahead. Interestingly there are many in the media and leadership in our country that are already saying this, rather than simply putting a good, positive spin on things at the beginning of the year. And that is the other side of things: we seem to think that if you talk up the positives then we might be able to get through the year without falling apart.

 Now for most people today in our society there is this underlying fear of the knowledge that the year ahead will have its difficulties and tragedies. The realities of life are that there will always be accidents, sickness and death. But on top of that there is the real possibility of a sizable financial downturn and of further terrorism activity. All of this has most people very uneasy about the future.

 However in order to cope with this they bury this thinking under a cloak of positive thinking and a constant barrage of pleasant events; parties, sport, alcohol, drugs, sex and all kinds of things that will hopefully take our mind off of these terrible, but real, possible things happening. Hopefully it won’t happen; and more to the point, happen to me!

 Now without wanting to be too pessimistic and negative, as Christians who understand the Bible, we surely will know that because we are living in a sinful, selfish world, we will have our troubles and hardships. Let’s be real about it. This coming year will not be all a bed of roses. There will thorns on that bed as well; and we can be fairly confident that there will be tragic events as well.

 However we as Christians are reminded here that in the midst of all of this darkness and gloom there is a light that enables us to go forward boldly and confidently, irrespective of what happens. This light helps us to step out and live each day realistically but at the same time positively. For we know that in connection with this Light the future is sure and certain no matter what we will have to face.

 
This light in this reading before us is associated with that which is real life – real life, both here on earth, as well as in heaven for all eternity. This light and life is that which is connected with all that is good and right and which has come into this world which has been darkened by our human sinfulness to give us light and life.  So we can have hope and a real confidence as we live out our life every day, whatever we are facing.

 Here though is where things begin to get challenging for us as human beings. We want light and life and hope and all of that, but all too often we don’t want to take seriously that which can give us these things. Even though the source of these things has been there and had its hand in the beginning of this world and all things, we as human beings too often prefer to ignore and even reject that which can give us these things.

 We would much prefer to try and accomplish it on our own, even though history shows us that we can’t. In fact all our attempts to, only makes the darkness even darker, if that is possible. By rejecting the creator and giver of these things we bring difficulties and disasters on ourselves. However our pride does not want to acknowledge and accept this.

 Now it is in the face of this situation that John has a very important message for us. The giver of this life and light has come into our world so that we can have a sure way lit up for us so that we can have real life here and now as well as in eternity. God’s Son come into our world makes all the difference for those who receive him.

 The first point that John makes in this regard is that this light was there at the very beginning. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. This Word is clearly a reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus and the Word are inseparable. And this Jesus was there at the very creation of this world and all that is in it.

 So if Jesus was there and had a hand in the creation of life he surely knows what life is all about and what makes for real life. In fact John says that he himself was life, and that life was the light of men. So if we want to know what makes for life as it is meant to be, then we should look to him who is life.  We look to the Word – Jesus – and the word of the Bible and there find what we need to know in order to truly live. Jesus and his word is what will give light to our darkened world.

 However John goes on to say: The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. Sinful, selfish humanity does not understand or want to understand what God has done for us and how he wants us to live and act. We want to do our own thing, and so what Jesus Christ shows and tells us is so often rejected and poo-hooed.

 John tells us: The true light 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. They prefer to live in their own darkness rather than in his light. The results of this we see all around us.

 However, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

 Those who are prepared to look to, believe, and receive from him find that which is absolutely amazing. Those who trust in him and what he has to say he has given the right to become children of God. Not only has he given us the right, but he has made it possible – he has done it himself for us. It is not determined by what family we are born into; nor, by our decision; or knowledge, or anything of our human nature. It is purely the work of God.  

 That is why baptism is so important for us, as it is a constant reminder to us that God has accepted us, washed us and joined us to his family. We have the certainty of forgiveness of sins, and the assurance that God is with us all the way through this life into heaven itself. So life will work out for good.

 The light of Christ has illuminated our lives and given us what we need in order to live with hope, confidence and certainty in the midst of this darkened world. The fullness of God’s grace – his undeserved love toward us now means that we can live with meaning and purpose in the midst of a world that is running this way and that in order to hopefully find what is right and good.

 In God’s Word we have the law to guide us in how to live well on this earth in our relationships with God and the people around us. It thereby also reminds us that when we go against this law we will bring trouble and hardship on ourselves and others. History has borne out the truth of this over and over again. Sadly however humanity is reluctant to heed this reality.

 Alongside of that law we also have the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ. Here we the greatest help and encouragement that we could hope to attain. Because of the reality of Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection we know for sure that we are loved, forgiven and have a sure truth to live by. We can be absolutely sure of all that he has given and promised to us.

 So now in the midst of the darkness of life in our world and the probabilities of further troubles and tragedies in this new year, we as Christians can live with confidence in the light of all the Jesus Christ has done and made available to us. There is now a way lit for us in and through whatever this sinful world throws at us.

 With that we can live life to the full, confidently and boldly; for the light Jesus Christ is with us and shines a way through for us. So to him again be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish