January 1
Bible Reading: John 1
John 1:14, “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.”
Happy New Year! And we are off into our new Bible reading adventure in chapter one of this wonderful gospel account. May the Spirit open our eyes to the truth that we might grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus!
The Apostle John wrote the Gospel of John near the end of his life, as most scholars assign a date of about A.D. 90 to its writing. As a disciple of Jesus, John walked with Jesus and was a witness of His death and resurrection (1 John 1:1-2; Acts 1:1-3). Following Christ’s ascension, he had a foundational role in the church’s establishment (Acts 3:1; 4:19). He faithfully served as a leader in the church for the rest of his life, nearly six decades, and suffered persecution for his faith (Revelation 1:9).
Why did John, and his fellow Apostles, devote their lives to serving Jesus, with all willing to suffer persecution or martyrdom for the cause of Christ? In his gospel account, John wrote, “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” (John 1:14). John beheld the glory of Jesus. What he beheld in Jesus worked to change the trajectory of his life! He saw the glory of Jesus’ person and character, full of “grace and truth” as He was. He witnessed the amazing miracles that Jesus did. He saw Jesus suddenly transfigured on the mountain, His garments becoming white as light (Matthew 17:1-2). He stood with Jesus’ mother when Jesus hung on the cross and beheld Him after He rose from the dead (John 19:26; Matthew 28:8-9). John was a firsthand witness to the beauty of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever witnessed something so glorious that you could not take your eyes away? Like a beautiful sunrise, perhaps. What you see might even move you emotionally, so much so that you want to take a picture to share with others. John saw the beauty of Jesus and wanted to tell others about what he saw. He yearned for others to behold the beauty of Jesus and to experience the salvation he himself had found (John 20:30-31). That’s what his gospel account is all about—the glory of Jesus! Read it with that thought it mind. This daily reading is not some kind of religious ritual. Nor are you reading merely to increase your Bible knowledge. You read to know Jesus better! You read that you, through the pages of the gospel account, might behold the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Just as John had, so many years ago!
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”—John 5:39
MORE ABOUT JESUS
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 