“If there was one thing that everyone should know about Christianity or Jesus, what would that be?”
Her gaze lingered on my eyes with eager expectation. I held my breath in desperate thought, “One thing? Only one thing??”.
I wonder how you would answer this question. This was how an international student of Hindu background opened her conversation with me one windy day as we sat by the bay in Mentone. We had been working together for about eight months and our lunch break conversations were often rich and meaningful covering many aspects of life. I had asked her early in our exchanges, “Do you know much about Jesus or Christianity?”. She replied, “No. But I am interested to learn!”. That gave me the urge to pray intentionally and often for our unfolding conversations that led to this moment – our first out-of-work meet up. On the drive to the beach, she had shared her concern for how so many people seem to have no hope and are ‘living in darkness’; a burden she was carrying as a psychologist in training.
As I paused to consider her question, her phone rang! “Phew, how timely!” I thought. I quickly shot an ‘arrow prayer’ as my eyes skimmed the ocean’s horizon, “Please, Holy Spirit, what should I say?”
“Immanuel.” It was as if I heard an audible voice within my spirit. “John 1.”
She ended her call and returned her attention.
“Have you ever heard of Immanuel?” I asked.
“No. Immanuel?” she shook her head gently.
“Immanuel means ‘God with us’. It was prophesied long ago that God would send a Saviour born as a baby. The baby was Jesus Christ. He was Immanuel – God with us.”
She tilted her head in a drawn out nod and her eyes widened, “Oh…wow!”.
“Yes. As you mentioned before, you have seen that people live in darkness. This is the darkness we live in when we do not know God. Can I read a scripture with you from the Bible?”
She looked curious and nodded, “Yes, sure!”.
“Some of Jesus’s followers had written about His life. This account is written by John, who was very close to Jesus.” My fingers swiped on my phone Bible app locating John chapter 1. “Would you like to read it?” I handed the phone over to her.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
I studied her face as she took in the words. “Have you ever read something like this before?”
“No, I haven’t … It’s beautiful!”
I gestured to the text. “Keep reading from verse 9.”
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God…Oh wow!”
Her eyes narrowed as she intently read on.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
I waited a few seconds. Her eyes were fixed on the text.
“What does this text tell us?” I prompted her to paraphrase what she had read. What unfolded convinced me that the Word of God is alive and active. “It tells us that humans are living in darkness and Jesus is the Light of life.”
She marvelled at the thought that God would come into this world to reveal Himself.
She was amazed at the idea of knowing God as a Father and that He invites us to become His children if we received and believed in His name.
She acknowledged how much we all need truth and grace – which are embodied in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Like a little child, she appeared captivated by the Light that radiated from this scripture. The Light of the world who dwelt with us and continues to shine 2025 years on.
In a world that is becoming increasingly fractured, dark and hopeless, this sweet message of ‘God with us’ is the soothing balm we offer to the world as Children of God. It is the peace that surpasses understanding that we receive in Jesus. It is the presence of His Holy Spirit that surrounds us.
As Christmas activities draw to a close and this year comes to an end, let the comfort of Immanuel be with you. Let Immanuel recaptivate your wonder.
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