The Gospel of John
Matthew Philip
Unrecognized, Unwelcome: 1:9-11
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.
Last week my cousin was attacked by a mob.
Reji carefully pulled out of his large modern warehouse, staffed by a dozen people from the surrounding humble neighborhood. Business was thriving, his employees were content, and though from out of state he was at home in Bangalore.
Without warning, a car shot out from a side street trying to cut in front of him. Reji slammed the brakes and swerved. Too late, the car hit his SUV.
My cousin stepped out to check the damage with the other driver. Unfortunately, the other driver was a local gang leader who had neither insurance nor remorse. He too jumped out, signaled a few locals, and set about physically assaulting my cousin. The mob grew as others joined in, assuming that the richer business man had intentionally side-swiped the local leader’s smaller car.
What seemed like an eternity later, the mob dispersed, exhausted. Justice apparently meted out, local honor and order restored. Badly bruised and bleeding, with a broken arm and jaw, my cousin made it to the local hospital.
More than the blows, something else had crushed his spirit. Two of the attackers who had merrily waded into the fray were his employees who had neither recognized his huddled form nor his vehicle. His very own had hurt him.
As I reflect on this week’s text, and my cousin’s harrowing experience, the parallels are uncanny. Jesus’ welcome on planet earth was not exactly stellar. He came to a people he had chosen, to a world he made. He even morphed into our human form so we would more easily relate to him. We neither recognized him, nor welcomed him, preferring our darkness to true light.
Yet, we often ask “Does God really care about me, about our world?” “If he says he is God, why is he not fixing things and helping us?” The unspoken thought of many pre-Christians is if God would only show up, they would gladly follow and obey him.
John, without any ambiguity, declares that God cares and has come! Not just for a people of a particular ethnicity, pedigree, or education, but for all! Not just for a fresh beginning, but for a long-term relationship. Not just for the creature, but for all creation. True light is come to dispel all darkness, everywhere.
While I may be a bit quick to judge the degree of discernment of first century middle Easterners, I wonder if I readily recognize Jesus. Both my theology and experience affirm his activity and presence in the here and now. The amazing stories of Jesus-encounters around the world bear witness to the light spreading, even today. My prayer as I go about work and study, relating to friends, family and coworkers is that I would discern him, his presence and his activity, especially in and through others, much in the way that Reji did.
Reji's latest email to me reads: “I am walking again, in the same area with more and more local people willing to support, to strike back. But my decision to forgive has surprised many. Shame and guilt have moved many tormentors away; we pray for them each night.”
Wow! That is not a normal human response; clearly Jesus is at work in Reji, and through him, in his community. Perhaps when Reji’s neighbors see him, they will start recognizing not only him, but Jesus as well.
That is the kind of work I want to be about – recognizing and welcoming Jesus, even in the midst of milling mobs.
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