Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
John 1:12 NIV
The prologue to John’s gospel (John 1:1-18) is pretty intense. It starts by identifying the Word as being with God and being God. That the Word had life in Himself. And that life was the light of humanity. He then went on to say that the Word came into the world to give that light to everyone. That the Word, the Son, took on humanity and lived for a while among us. And we know the Word made flesh as Jesus.
Believe in His Name
Jesus came to bring light into the world. Some accepted the light He brought, while others did not. John tells us in this verse that all who received Jesus were given the right to become children of God. If there is any question about what it means to receive Jesus, John explains that it means to believe in His name. To believe in who He is.
The gospel (good news) that John proclaims here is that there is hope for our world. But that hope is only found in Jesus. He is the light that shines and gives hope to a world living in darkness. And all who put their faith and trust in Him will experience new life in Him. And we will, in turn, reflect His light to those around us.
