Lent Week Four—Saturday
Annunciation
Psalm 85 Isaiah 2:5-10 Hebrews 2:5-10 John 1:9-14
As I read today’s Gospel reading, I thought of season two-episode one of The Chosen. It is a series based on the life of Jesus. It is based on scripture, but the creators use creative liberties to humanize each of Jesus’ disciples. John is seen writing his Gospel, which was written at least 90 years after Jesus’ birth.
In the show, John is giving special care to write down the exact words of eyewitness accounts from several people that knew Jesus, such as Mother Mary and the other disciples. He thinks about what “beginning” he should write.
As you know, all four Gospels are written differently. Each writer points to different important parts of the story and of our Savior. John points back to creation and Jesus being there with God the Father (v. 1) and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26). John also points back to the Law of Moses (v. 17) and how Jesus saves us with grace and truth, not only to “his own people (v. 11),” but to all who received and believed Him (v. 12).
How fortunate we are that “God did not subject the coming world … to angels. But [He is] … mindful of … mortals, that [He] care[s] for them’” (Hebrews 1:5-6). When reading this, I am reminded of the Canaanite woman’s humility, boldness, and confidence in Jesus’ goodness and of her persistence as she asks for him to heal her demonpossessed daughter. In Matthew 15:27, “She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’” One cannot be much humbler than comparing oneself to dogs grasping for crumbs. God treasures us so much, but sometimes we, especially I, need to remember how undeserving we are of his love, personal attention, and salvation. How blessed we are that “What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people” (v. 3b-4). He has chosen each of us and loves us, no matter how undeserving, just as he loved John.
-Lauren Thibodeaux
The Carpenter's Nail 