The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany (GA)

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 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.

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.

The Word is most certainly made flesh. It is this very word that has created all things. It is this very word that comes to die for the forgiveness of your sins. It is this very word that is the temple of God that will be destroyed and rebuilt in three days. Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh and the new Temple or access point to God in our Prayer.

Many people believe that you should always pray in the name of Jesus, because he is standing as our High Priest at the right hand of God our Father always interceding on our behalf. While this is most certainly true, do not lose sight of God our Father and the Holy Spirit who together with Jesus are one God now and forever.

When it comes to John chapter one there is a lot that could be said. There is even more that could be written. I think there is a continued importance of Light and darkness. But in connection with our Old Testament Lesson from 1 Kings 8, I think the most important thing to remember is that of Prayer. God gives us the Word made flesh to have access to ask for the forgiveness of sins no matter where we are.

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” God appointed you to be his child. God appointed Jesus to be your Savior, and this is not your ‘will’ but God’s good and gracious will.