The King's Children

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 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 1:9-13).

As he begins his gospel, John draws together the story of creation and redemption – our story.

The very light through which the world had been made came into the world, but it did not recognize him. Jesus, born at Christmas, was there at the very beginning of all things with the Father and the Spirit as together, they formed this world. Creation.

We humans were created then too. The crown of the Creation, formed in the image of God to steward his rule on this Earth.

But we abandoned our royal heritage to strike out on our own, creating our own kingdom where we make the rules. We did not want to follow those set out by God. The fall.

John introduces the agent of Redemption. Again, Jesus is here, together with the Father and Spirit to do a creating work. This time creating a restoration, a redemption, a right to come home to the royal family as children of God once again.

This theme of homecoming as children of the royal family echoes all through the New Testament. Yet, it's rarely the way we think of ourselves.

Maybe we get distracted by other forms of our identity, loosing track of the most important one. We are busy being a "student" or "employee" or "employer." Being "attractive" or "successful." Being a "parent" or "friend" or any number of other things. We spend so much time with these identities that we forget who we truly are.

Underneath all these identities, there is one more durable than any of the ones we create for ourselves or are given. It's more permanent than even the identity of our own family and surname. Because unlike all these other identities we carry, our eternal identity did not come "through any human decision."

This identity was given us by God Himself. Our permanent identity is who Christ has made us: the children of God. Christian is the identity that counts in our lives. It is who we are. Royalty. Those who Belong. Those who will rule and reign with Christ. Never forget who we are in Christ. We are children of God, children of the King.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.