Sunday, February 16, 2025  

Today's Scripture
1 John 1:1–10

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (NRSV)

Reflection

There are three brief letters near the end of the New Testament bearing the name John. It is not clear exactly who John is, although one popular theory is that it is John the beloved disciple, who is now old, nearing the end of his own life and eager to make sure that believers will understand what Christianity is about after the last men and women to have actually known Jesus are gone.

“We declare what we have heard, seen, looked at and touched with our hands.” John is saying, “I was there; I saw it all; I knew him, and I’m telling you because he, Jesus, means everything in the world to me and he can mean life itself to you.”

John uses eloquent images, popular in his day to convey what Christian faith means: “God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” What an important word that is at Fourth Presbyterian Church as we strive to be a light in the city. What an important word for each of us, personally and deeply. There are, after all, plenty of dark places in our world.

I love old John’s reminder that God is light and that in God there is no darkness at all. In fact, it makes a good early morning and late-night-before-sleep prayer: “God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”

Prayer
Dear God, be with me today. As the sun rises and begins a new day, remind me that you are light. And remind me throughout this day until I sleep again that you will never abandon me to darkness of any kind because there is no darkness with you. Through Jesus Christ, light of the world, light of my life. Amen.

Written by John M. Buchanan, Pastor Emeritus
February 22, 2006

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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