John 1

Come and See

John 1:38-39

38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

Come, follow me, He says. Come and see. The Savior is eternally extending these invitations to us. He doesn't hide from us, but sometimes we hide from Him. We can find Him anywhere when our hearts are open. When we open the door to Him, we can access so much that we don't know or understand - even miracles. But we have to act. We have to "come" and "follow" Him by leaving what is necessary behind and joining Him in higher, holier places and ways of living. We can't passively stay where we are and expect to "see" all that's possible for us.

I love the concept that we can prove the doctrine of the gospel by living it. I'm seeing that every day that I really dive into gospel study and try to be active. When I take the time for Him, everything else I need to do falls into place. That's only one example of the tender mercies that "prove" to me the gospel is real, true, and worthwhile.

I'll sound like a broken record eventually, but I'm fixated on this idea of being active followers. We can't follow Him by standing still. Eventually, we'll lose sight of Him. We must follow, even if our steps are slow and awkward at first. I don't think He'll ever move too quickly, and He'll certainly carry us when times are difficult, but we have to make an effort to show Him we believe. Our agency requires that we do that much. Faith as small as a mustard seed is a sufficient beginning - even a desire to have such faith. Faith and then action. Faith and then one step toward Him.

I challenge you to choose one step each day to follow Him - an act of service, the sacrifice of a favorite sin, a merciful judgment of someone else, a prayer of repentance, an extension of forgiveness ... one step. One action. Do it with purpose and authenticity.

Light of the World

John 1:4-5

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

I take this literally. The devil is darkness and darkness is the spiritual death of men - the separation of us from God. Jesus Christ gives us life with God. He helps us achieve exaltation.

I also like this verse because it reminds me that life itself (plants, animals, humans, etc) is sacred and beautiful. It's something to be appreciated and protected. All life comes from Him. He makes everything live and grow. He makes everything possible. This world is alive and beautiful because of Him. Do we appreciate that enough? Do we take the time to stand all amazed, in awe and wonder, at the world He has given us? We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful setting for our mortal education.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

I think this is profound. Darkness can't comprehend light. I think, if it could, darkness wouldn't choose to be darkness anymore. I wonder if Satan has always failed to fully comprehend the goodness of our Savior and the Plan of Salvation. Wouldn't he have chosen it if he really understood it? That's just a thought experiment. But I think it can apply to a lot of people who are struggling. We need to help others really comprehend and understand the gospel. We need to shine the light of Jesus Christ so others can see the joy He brings. We need to testify of Him with the same zeal as John.

"John Preaching in the Wilderness" by Del Parson

When I Googled the definition of the word comprehend, this was one of the options: "include, comprise, or encompass." We know that darkness can't exist where there is light. If you shine a light into the darkness, the darkness goes away; it can't encompass the light - it doesn't stand a chance. No force for evil can ever encompass Jesus Christ. We have the choice to turn off His light in our lives and let the darkness in, but that's a consequence of our agency and not any failing on His part. He never fails us. He is always waiting for us to choose Him and turn on the light.

Do we comprehend (understand) Him? Do we perceive all He is and all He can do for us? Do we allow Him to comprehend (encompass) us? Do we include Him in our choices? Those are great questions to ask when doing our spiritual work to become more like Him.

John 1:6-10

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of being in the world but not of the world. We need to do the opposite of "the world" and know Him. We are His. His work began so long before Bethlehem. I think our knowledge of His pre-mortal work (His creation of the world) shows just how far He descended for our sakes. He created this world and let it kill Him. He did that for us.

We were sent into this world that's full of evil and opposition, but we weren't sent alone. We have tools. Even before we officially receive the Holy Ghost, we have the light of Christ, and that light helps us make good choices and stay close to our Father in Heaven. It's so important that we pay attention to the promptings we receive from on high.

Moroni 7:14-16

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

Sons and Daughters of God

John 1:12

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The footnote for "power" says: "GR authority, right, privilege." I feel like this points to the temple and the power we are endowed with there, among other things, and that we receive this power through making and keeping our covenants. I also thought about His enabling power and how He helps us become so much more than we could on our own. He can do the impossible and make up the difference when we have weaknesses - as long as we receive Him and believe in Him. President Nelson has talked a lot about power. I'm going to revisit his teachings with this verse in mind.

Romans 8:14-18 

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

In order to be children of God, we must invite the Spirit into our lives and be led by it. When we choose to be gathered into His fold, or adopted, we partake of so many incredible blessings. Joint-heirs with Christ? None of us comprehend the grandeur and joy of that. We can't. But it's absolutely worth any suffering we experience on the covenant path.

I love the use of "Abba, Father" here. Abba is such a tender term and speaks of a close relationship. I've read that it speaks of both closeness and a willingness to obey.

Doctrine and Covenants 25:1

1 Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom.

We need to receive His gospel. There's a lot to be said about the word "receive." We need to make it part of ourselves and our lives. We need to cherish it. When we receive His gospel, we receive Him.

Mosiah 5:7-9 

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.

I wonder, what is the significance of believing "on His name?" I'd love to hear your thoughts. The idea comes up multiple times in our study material this week. I think part of it must be that when we truly have faith in Him, we change our desires, intentions, and actions. We take His name upon us and do as He would (as best we can with mortal weaknesses). But there's also this idea that we're called by His name. I need to study that more as I think it's significant. Is it that we identify ourselves as His children? That we choose Him and prioritize Him over everything else? That we aren't part of the world, but are part of His family instead?

These verses also point out that being His children makes us free. Keeping our covenants can feel restrictive, but it's the path to true freedom. Making and keeping covenants with Him is how we become His children.

Hear Him

Matthew 17:5

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

For the first time, I read this as a plea from the Father. Something like, "He gave His life for you. Please hear Him. Don't take our sacrifice for granted." I think it's also a reminder to hear Jesus Christ more than we hear another of the Father's sons: the devil. Everything in the gospel comes back to choosing Jesus Christ - the beloved, holy Son - over anyone and anything else.

See Others

John 1:45-46

45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

These verses remind us not to make snap judgements about those around us. We need to "come and see" what people are about before judging based on appearance, background, location, etc. Our Savior spent a lot of time during His mortal ministry breaking down barriers and showing love to outcasts. He truly saw people with eyes full of love, not eyes seeking faults. We can (and should) pray to see others as He does.

Yes, it's good to have boundaries and avoid unsafe situations, and the Spirit can help us discern how to handle things. But so much good can come from truly seeing others as we learn about their stories, their hearts, their sorrows, their needs, and so on. We spend too much time looking down these days or only seeing what's on the surface. We need to see each other. One of the best feelings in the world is to know someone really sees you as you are and loves you. Jesus gave that to everyone.