Written by Jelin Robles, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (Jn 1:1-4 NIV)
Reading the book of John transformed my way of thinking and seeing things, and when I discovered that it was intended for the church, I was even more enchanted. I love the book of John.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. (Jn 1:10)
The words and actions described in the first 14 verses of John are very powerful. For me, there are no other verses as realistic and clear as these. Furthermore, the first four verses reveal to us the presence of Jesus at the creation of the world, contradicting the many erroneous statements and beliefs that seek to deny the sovereignty of the Son. We understand that we were created through Him and by Him. The love of Jesus Christ for us surpasses our understanding, for He came as a man, leaving His glory.
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. (Jn 1:11-13)
Out of His love for us, in order that we would all turn back to Him, John was chosen to testify of Christ’s arrival. However, not everyone accepted Jesus as He was. Some rejected Him, but there was another group that accepted Him and He called them His children. What a beautiful and rewarding thought for my heart, knowing that He did this for me and everyone around me—throughout history and those who will live in the future until Jesus returns. My heart overflows with joy because I understand that once I was one of those who rejected Him and did not accept Him, but His eternal love caused me to know Him better until I accepted His invitation to the table and became His daughter.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14)
His sacrifice motivates me every day to fulfill His will, and that is what I always want to do. May all Iron Rose Sisters be grateful for what Jesus and our Father did for us and may we all strive to please Him.