Day 16 – Jesus Moves into the Neighborhood 

John 1:14-18

The Focus of this Week is the Grace-filled model of Jesus

PAUSE -
Take a deep breath, offer this time and your focus to the Lord with the Psalmist

      Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
      Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 
      When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long...
      Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
      I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”                                 Psalm 32:1-3,5

REJOICE in his goodness with Psalm 32:11

      And you forgave the guilt of my sin…
      Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing all you who are upright in heart! 

Five years ago, Kim and I moved into a new neighborhood in a new city.  We had some friends in Janesville, but we didn’t know anyone on our block.  After we closed on the house it took about 3 weeks to get the house habitable before we could move in. In the first week, as we were frantically cleaning out, painting, and working on the house, our neighbor, Dee, came across the road with a beautiful planter of mums for us. She welcomed us into the neighborhood with the perfect gift for Kim, who loves flower gardens and plants.  That simple gesture was an amazing blessing for us. Grace can be expressed both in “moving into the neighborhood” and in “welcoming” others. Today we will continue reflecting on the first chapter of John’s Gospel. 

Read and REFLECT – Read John 1:14-18 (The Message)

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.  We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John pointed him out and called, “This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me, has always had the first word.” We all live off his generous abundance, gift after gift after gift. We got the basics from Moses, then this exuberant giving and receiving, this endless knowing and understanding – all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.

We know from yesterday’s reading, and from reading the Gospels that Jesus did not get a warm reception everywhere he showed up.  In fact, the most religious were often the least receptive and the most hostile.  He challenged their expectations, their comforts, and their authority. 

In fact, yesterday we highlighted the reaction of many: 

      They did not understand Him.
      They did not recognize Him.
      They did not receive Him. 

-       John 1:5,10-11

C.S. Lewis described it this way:

“God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form”. 

Can you think of a time when you intentionally avoided a certain gathering, event, or even neighborhood because you were not sure you would receive a positive reception? Most people don’t willingly enter hostile environments. 

      Jesus came willingly.
      For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son… John 3:16

Reread and REFLECT –if possible, read it aloud. 

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.  We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John pointed him out and called, “This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me, has always had the first word.” We all live off his generous abundance, gift after gift after gift. We got the basics from Moses, then this exuberant giving and receiving, This endless knowing and understanding – all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.

What impression stands out to you as you consider God’s grace reflected in Jesus? 

Generous inside and out… gift after gift after gift.

He didn’t have to do this. We have a tendency to assume that God has to love us like this. Almost as if we deserve it for being born. Eugene Peterson in this translation identifies grace as exuberant, all -encompassing generosity. Reflecting on this gift from the Creator is humbling, to say the least. How could I ever possibly deserve this indescribable gift?

ASK –
Who do you know that lives in circumstances that are less than comfortable, perhaps even in scarcity or unsafe conditions?  Lord Jesus, would you enter the world of those you have brought to mind today?  Is there someone you are bringing to mind that I should call or visit today? Give me courage and strength to follow where you lead me.

YIELD –
Are there uncomfortable situations and spaces in your life where Jesus isn’t fully welcome? Would you open your heart to invite him in? Would you be willing to surrender your pride to let him stay and clean the house a bit? Remember, he always comes in grace.

Jesus, I invite you into those places I have hidden from you. Holy Spirit, come. Cleanse me. Fill me. Use me. 

Lord give me a generous heart for those I encounter today.