John 1 :14, New International Version

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

As John continues his Gospel, he shifts from eternity to earth, from the divine Word to the witness of a man named John the Baptist. Scripture says, “There was a man sent from God… he came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.” (John 1:6–7). John the Baptist understood his calling clearly—he was not the Light, but he pointed to the Light. His life reminds us that every believer has the same purpose: to lift up Jesus so that others might come to know Him. We do not shine by our own strength; we reflect the One who is Light Himself.

But even though the true Light was coming into the world, John tells us something heartbreaking: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.” (v. 10). The Creator stepped into His creation, yet many failed to see Him for who He was. And still today, people look right past the One who holds their very breath. But the rejection of some did not diminish the truth of who He is. Light doesn’t stop being light just because someone closes their eyes.

Then John gives one of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture: “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (v. 12). Salvation is not inherited, earned, or achieved. It is received. It is given to those who believe. And those who receive Christ are not merely forgiven—they are adopted. They are made sons and daughters of God, born not of human will but of the Spirit. This is the miracle of the gospel: we are brought into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ.

John goes even deeper when he writes, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (v. 14). God did not remain distant. He stepped into our world, wrapped Himself in the same humanity we carry, and walked among us. The God of glory took on flesh—not to watch us from a distance, but to redeem us from within. John says, “We have seen His glory,” the glory of the One who came full of grace and truth. Jesus did not come to condemn us but to bring grace. And He did not come to flatter us but to reveal truth. Only Jesus holds both perfectly.

Finally, John declares, “From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (v. 16). The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The law could show us our need, but only Jesus could satisfy it. The law could reveal sin, but only Jesus could remove it. And the grace He gives is not a one-time gift but a continual outpouring—grace on top of grace, unending, overflowing, and freely given to all who believe.

John 1:6–18 invites us to stand in awe of the Light who came near. He is the Word made flesh, the glory of God revealed, the Savior who welcomes us into the family of God. And just like John the Baptist, our calling now is to reflect His light, point others to Him, and live as children who have received grace upon grace.

(All scripture quotations in this article are from the New International Version)