Drawn to the Light - October 28

Read John 1:9-13 (ESV) 

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

Reflect 

Why do you think some people reject Jesus? 

In the insect world, there are bugs that are drawn to the light and bugs that flee from the light. On dark summer nights, dozens of insects swarm underneath our porch light. They are attracted to the light quite literally “like a moth to a flame.” Remember that scene in A Bug’s Life when a fly is drawn into the bug zapper? “Harry, don’t look at the light!” But even to his own detriment, Harry is irresistibly drawn to light: “I can’t help it. It’s so beautiful.” Zap! 

Other insects, like cockroaches, scatter the second a light is flicked on. They don’t want to be exposed by the light. They want the cover of the darkness. 

You know, people are like that with Jesus. Some of us are irresistibly drawn to Him. Others can’t retreat to the darkness quick enough. But all of us have seen His light. John wrote that Jesus is the “true light, which gives light to everyone.” Jesus is God in the flesh. He set aside His glory in heaven, humbled Himself, and came to earth. He came into the very world that He created. And yet, many of the very people He created rejected Him. Later, in John 3:19, John wrote: “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” Like the cockroaches, they don’t want to be exposed by the light. They know their deeds are evil but they love their sin more than they love God. So they flee from the Light and choose to remain in the dark. 

But there is good news for those who love Jesus, the True Light of the world. They find His Light to be irresistible so they are drawn to Him. They turn from the darkness of their sins and run towards His light. They believe Him, they receive Him, and when they do, they aren’t zapped for their sins, even though that is what they deserve! When they come into the Light of Christ, they become children of God. 

We can’t claim the right to be children of God because of our birth—we were born into sin. We can’t work hard enough to earn the right, there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. The right to become children of God is an incredible gift from God. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. We deserve the bug zapper. But we find so much hope in Romans 5:17: “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” 

Jesus’ light shines in this dark world for all to see. It is an open invitation. So don’t try to resist His Light—run towards it. Put your trust in Christ and you will find mercy and grace. You will become a child of God who lives and reigns with Him forever and ever. Amen! 

Respond 

Jesus, thank You for Your light that shines in the darkness. Your light drew me in but in You, I didn’t find the punishment of death that I deserved because of my sin. Lord, I praise You for Your grace, mercy, and for giving me the right to be called a child of God. Amen. 

Reveal 

Who have you recently drawn toward Jesus? Reach out this week to someone new or to an old friend you’ve drifted from. Share a short testimony of how His light changed you, and invite them to explore John 1:9-13 together—witnessing that all can become children of God.