John 1:12a
But to all who received him…
In literature it’s called foreshadowing. The anticipation of something to come. More than that, it’s the anticipation of the swing from bad news to good, from conflict to resolution.
Narrative revolves around conflict. Stories – pretty much all stories – have their genesis in a problem to be solved, obstacle to be overcome, or challenge to be met. And this one is no different. John has just identified the problem: the Word that is with God and is God and created all things comes into the world to shine light and give life. But the world, too preoccupied with its own distractions and captivated by pretenders, neither recognizes nor receives the Word of light and life. That’s the conflict, the challenge, the problem that drives this story.
If there was no way to overcome this challenge, this story would be a tragedy. But all is not lost. All is not hopeless. The rejection of the light is not the last word. And all of this is signaled by the powerful conjunction, “but.”
Yes, there is darkness, but…
Yes, the world did not recognize him, but…
Yes, even his own people did not receive him, but…
“But to all who did receive him….”
This story is not over. It will not end in tragedy. Conflict and challenge do not rule the day. All of this and more is foreshadowed and anticipated in this brief phrase, a few words that indicate there is much to come.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for never giving up on us and the creation…ever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Powerful thanks