John 1:6-13 | The True Light #sonofheaven #advent

In this Advent season we turned to John 1 to remember why Jesus came: the True Light entered our darkness, was largely rejected, and yet opened the way for us to be received as children of God. John the Baptist embodies the pattern—he was a credible witness whose testimony stirred belief. That becomes our invitation too. We already “witness” all the time with reviews and recommendations; Advent simply calls us to do it about what matters most. It can be as simple as honest questions with neighbors, store clerks, and friends—gentle on-ramps that point to the Light.

John also names the sorrow at the center of Jesus’ earthly life: rejection. The world he made did not recognize him; his own people did not receive him. That is not a footnote in the story—it is a dominant theme. And we feel its weight because rejection is not only emotional; it registers like physical pain. Advent insists Jesus did not glide through that pain untouched. The mystery of the incarnation—one person, two distinct natures, fully God and fully human—means he felt rejection fully and without sin. This guards us from the “Superman” mistake that imagines divinity cushioned him from our experience. He can truly sympathize and stand with us in our loneliness, grief, and isolation.

But the story doesn’t end in rejection. For all who receive him and believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God. New birth is a gift of the Spirit that changes our eternal future and the quality of our present life. Unlike every other status we chase—earned by grades, promotions, medals, and achievements—this identity is given, not achieved. That is revolutionary freedom in a world discipled by performance. Advent is about giving, yes—but our deepest transformation begins by receiving. As our hearts recover wonder at the incarnation, we’ll care less about earning a name and live more deeply from the secure name we’ve been given: sons and daughters. And from that security, we can bear witness with courage and tenderness to a world hungry for light.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Practice credible witness this Advent We already know how to testify—we do it with restaurants, products, and services. Redirect that muscle toward the Light with simple, sincere questions and invitations that fit your real relationships. Witness is not pressure; it’s love that points to what is true and good. Pray for the person God is already placing in your path. [41:47]
• 2. Expect rejection—and see Christ’s first Jesus was rejected by the world and by his own people; even friends faltered. Remembering his rejection steadies ours: we are not anomalies, and our Lord walked this path before us. Let his scars tutor your compassion rather than your cynicism. In his fellowship, rejection can form resilient love. [52:19]
• 3. Hold fast to Jesus’ full humanity The incarnation is not God “pretending” to be human; it is the Word made flesh. Avoid the “Superman” error that softens his suffering and empties his empathy. Only a fully human Christ can truly represent, redeem, and sympathize with us. Let that mystery deepen your prayers in the places that hurt. [58:56]
• 4. Receive, don’t achieve, your identity In Christ, adoption is a gift, not a grade. When identity is received, not performed, your worth is anchored and your striving can rest. From that security, boldness grows—not to prove yourself but to love others. Live from the family name you’ve been given, not the labels you’re tempted to earn. [71:49]

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Bible reading (ESV)
John 1:1–18
1 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. 7 He 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. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Observation questions (3–4)

1. What terms does John use to describe the Word’s relationship to God and to creation in verses 1–3? How do those terms shape the opening claim that “the life was the light of men”? [37:00]
2. How does John identify the role of John the Baptist in verses 6–8? What words or phrases underline that he is a witness and not the light himself? [39:02]
3. John gives two different circles of rejection: “the world did not know him” and “he came to his own, and his own did not receive him.” What distinct meanings does each phrase carry in verses 10–11? [47:19]
4. What three contrasts does John use in verse 13 to describe the new birth (not of blood / not of the will of the flesh / not of the will of man)? How do those contrasts clarify what it means to “become children of God”? [01:06:37]

Interpretation questions (3–4)

1. In what ways is everyday testimony (reviews, recommendations, small conversations) an appropriate comparison for John the Baptist’s witness to the Light, and where does that comparison break down? [41:47]
2. How does holding together “two distinct natures, fully divine and fully human” change the interpretation of Jesus’ experience of rejection and suffering? What theological risks arise if one emphasizes only divinity or only humanity? [58:56]
3. When John says people “receive” and “believe in his name” (v. 12), what kind of belief is being described—mere intellectual agreement or something deeper? How does this shape the difference between cultural celebration of Christmas and saving faith? [01:07:21]
4. How can remembering that Jesus experienced rejection reshape a Christian’s pastoral responses—does it incline toward increased compassion, hardened cynicism, or something else? What evidence in the text supports that direction? [52:19]

Application questions (4–7)

1. Bearing witness to the Light can be ordinary and simple (a question, a card, a pamphlet). Who is one specific person you will pray for this week and one concrete step you will take to open a gospel-shaped conversation with them? (For example: keep a pamphlet in your car, ask a neighbor “Do you do anything special for Christmas?”) [45:42]
2. Try a low-risk, curiosity question this week: “What do you think Christmas is really about?” or “Do you have any favorite traditions?” With whom will you ask one of these questions in the next seven days? How will you listen so the conversation can move toward the Light? [43:57]
3. Expect that some people will reject or misunderstand the message. When rejection comes, how will you respond so that your reaction reflects the manner of the One who experienced rejection—shaping compassion instead of bitterness? Name one practical practice (prayer, debrief with a friend, scripture response) you will use after a painful encounter. [52:19]
4. In seasons of loneliness or grief, what specific habit will you adopt to remember that Jesus fully entered human suffering and empathizes with you—e.g., a short daily lament prayer, a verse to memorize (Hebrews 4:15), or a 5-minute journaling prompt about how Christ has walked this path with you? [01:01:28]
5. Identity as “children of God” is given, not earned. What is one change you can make this Advent to live more from received identity (choices, words, priorities) and less from performance-driven approval? Name a concrete sign you’ll watch for that shows growth in this area. [01:11:49]
6. Choose one accessible way this week to make witnessing habitual (carry a small gift/pamphlet, set a prayer reminder for three people each day, practice a 30-second testimony). What will you do, when will you do it, and who will you tell afterwards about how it went? [41:47]