Thought for the week of 7th February 2021

To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.   John 1 : 12 - 13

Bible reading : John 1 : 1 - 14

Thought for the week

So many people now have knowledge of their family history and their origins thanks to the revolution in ancestry tracing. Origins, first sources, beginnings are all important to us as people.

Some people dedicate their lives to certain origins in science and nature, because the beginnings of something often reveals the truth of the present and illuminates its future.

The origins of the church of course lie in Jesus’ saving power through the Cross and resurrection, and the work of the Holy Spirit from Pentecost onwards. These are our origins as Jesus’ people, the reality we seek to live out each day, of Jesus’ sacrificing love, and His power to heal and make new today.

So John begins his Gospel with the beginning of all things. How Jesus is in the beginning and at the beginning. This is the truth of who he is, the living Word, God Himself, the source of all life and love along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

As we look to new beginnings and the Pandemic eventually subsides, these words of John’s Gospel speak into our world, calling all people to believe in the one who was in the beginning, and who is with us now.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Almighty God,

you have created the heavens and the earth

and made us in your own image:

teach us to discern your hand in all your works

and your likeness in all your children;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

Amen