An "aha moment"

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.”  -John 1:10

Have you ever had an “aha” moment?  A point in time when you have a sudden realization that a situation isn’t exactly what you believed it was?  Or that someone wasn’t exactly who you thought they were?  In the book of John, we are told that “many did not recognize Him,”  but I often wonder at what point the people closest to Jesus realized who He really was. 

During Jesus’ time on earth, the apostle John (and his brother James) were fiercely loyal to Him.  They were part of Jesus’ innermost circle (see Matthew 17:1), walking closely with Him throughout His ministry.  Nicknamed the “Sons of Thunder,” they were feisty, competitive, and even impulsive at times.  In one incident, they became so angry at a Samaritan village that was not welcoming to Jesus, that they wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy it:

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.  And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him;  but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.  When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”  But Jesus turned and rebuked them.  Then he and his disciples went to another village.” -Luke 9:51-56

Did they realize at this time exactly who it was they were defending?  At what point did John realize that Jesus was God? At what point did he fully grasp that he had been walking closely with the actual Creator of the universe?  Was it while they were sharing a meal or having an intimate conversation face to face?  Did this realization occur during his time with Jesus, resulting in his passionate but sometimes impulsive behavior? Or was it not until after Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven?  Regardless of when John had his “aha” moment, it must have been an overwhelming thing for him to reflect on all the memories - meals shared, miracles seen, deep conversations, and physical touch.  Helpless witness to Jesus’ crucifixion.  Three grueling days of not knowing.  Excitement when Jesus reappeared.  Triumphant resurrection and ascension.  Unbelievable.  Overwhelming.  

As we read the book of John, we still see that fervent spirit, but at this point, John had many years to reflect on his time with Jesus and to fully understand the magnitude of His life, death, and resurrection.  When writing his gospel, John wasted no time proclaiming the four most important words in our Christian faith:  Jesus Christ is God.  

John wrote his book from a point of complete awe and humble reverence.  Through the sanctifying work of Jesus during the time he walked with Him on the earth, and through the Holy Spirit following Jesus’ death and resurrection, John went from a “Son of Thunder” to being known as the “Apostle of Love.” 

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.  Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”  -John 1:10-13 

Child of God, don’t miss your “aha” moment as you read and study this beautiful gospel with complete awe and humble reverence, the gospel of John.  

Prayer:  God, we thank You for Your Word, and for Your Word made flesh.  We thank you for the gospel of John and for the sanctifying work you did in him and that you do in us each day.  We pray that Your Holy Spirit will guide us in our study of this book and that You reveal Yourself to us in these words, so that we can live humble and thankful lives, honoring You in all we do.  In Jesus name, amen.