1 John 1:1—2:2 (NRSV)
Read 1 John 1:1—2:2 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life- Verse 2this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us- Verse 3we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Verse 4We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Verse 5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. Verse 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; Verse 7but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Verse 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Verse 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Verse 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Chapter 2My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; Verse 2and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Devotion
Light as a theme for Christian life is often associated with the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. It’s not hard to see why. Those months are the darkest for us in the Northern hemisphere; Advent hymns and Christmas carols are filled with light imagery; and the star which led the wise men is a perfect metaphor for our journey toward the Christ child.
Yet the most powerful use of light in Christian worship occurs in the ancient liturgy of the Easter Vigil. As the new Paschal candle is lit, the presiding minister speaks, “The light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” Then the candle is processed into the darkened worship space, and the Easter proclamation (“This is the night!”) is sung. Thus the Church physically remembers what the author of First John knew so well: “God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.”
Prayer
Risen Jesus, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds, and bless us with your radiant hope and joy. Amen.