Today’s reading introduces a discussion about the relationship between God and Jesus and describes how God and Jesus are united as the Word from the beginning. The Word is with God and is God. The Word speaks, and all things—light and life—come into being. (See Genesis 1.) John testifies that Jesus is the Word made flesh once again as the true light. Jesus is cocreator with God in the beginning of the world and is the true light who enters the world as Emmanuel.

The first few verses of this Gospel drive us to a deeper understanding of God’s willingness to relinquish sovereignty, to empty God’s self to take on the struggles of human existence, and to testify as the true light to God’s all-encompassing love for humanity and all of creation. (See Philippians 2:1-11.) God as Jesus enters the world as a human baby and dies as a criminal. In between, he grows up, attends worship and weddings, struggles with his call on earth, teaches lessons, suffers hunger and homelessness, heals people, breaks laws, and invites himself to dinner with despised people.

Jesus’ taking human form means that God, as Jesus, knows us in our greatest weakness, pain, and sin. Nothing about us has been or ever will be hidden from God. And Jesus, as the true light that enlightens everyone—even you and me, provides the means for us to discover the grace of God.