Lent Day 1 [2.18.2026] Eternity Within

In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:4-5

Scripture: John 1:1-5

The Gospel of John was written by John the Apostle, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection, and his gospel had been written in AD80-95 to a primarily Greek-speaking audience during a time when early believers had dealt with internal false teachings and persecution. The Gospel of John is not a biography, rather a theological argument known as Johannine logic to establish truth in the form of Revelation (eyewitness, signs, wonders, events) --> Belief (faith) --> Life (freedom, light, joy, peace). Therefore, our journey during this lent season will take us through the depths of God’s identity, purpose, and will ultimately producing a compelling faith and eternal passion in our hearts for Jesus Christ.

Our reading for today begins with the mystery of Jesus’ incarnation. (Incarnation: God in the flesh) We know that in Genesis 1:1, God created time (In the beginning…), space (the Heavens…), and matter (the earth…). At the first conceivable moment, that is when time first began, John writes that in existence with God was the Word. Here, the writer uses the Greek word ‘logos’ intentionally, which quite literally means word, speech, message, or reason, to activate a clear understanding of his argument. To the Jews, the word ‘logos’ would have referred to the creative power of God, God’s self-revelation, and His active presence because for them God creates by His word, reveals Himself by His word, and accomplishes His will by His word. To the Greek or Gentile, logos would have referred to the rational principle of why we exist, the logic that holds reality together, and the reason why the universe makes sense. John continues to explain that this logos was both life itself (according to the Jews) and light (enlightenment for the Greeks).

This word of God has been presented to us through Jesus Christ and in our present time through the Bible. Our hope is that our faith in Jesus Christ would bring us a new found hope and motivation in life, and a great enlightenment to overcome and change the world.

Reflection:

1.     What do I hope to experience/receive during this lent season?

2.     Why is the bible God’s greatest gift to us?

Prayer:

God, thank you for the gift of your Word. Through this lent season, help me to be diligent and disciplined in reading my bible and learning more about you every day. I want to be changed and renewed by the power of your Word. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 내 안에 있는 영원 (Eternity Within) 본문: 요한복음 1:1-5

요한복음은 예수 그리스도의 열두 제자 중 한 사람인 사도 요한이 기록했습니다. 그는 예수님의 사역과 죽음, 부활을 직접 목격한 증인이었으며, 이 복음서는 주후 80–95년경, 초대 교회 성도들이 내부의 거짓 가르침과 박해로 어려움을 겪던 시기에 주로 그리스어를 사용하는 독자들을 향해 쓰였습니다. 요한복음은 단순한 전기가 아니라, 계시(목격자의 증언, 표적, 기적, 사건) → 믿음(신앙) → 생명(자유, 빛, 기쁨, 평안) 으로 이어지는 진리를 세우기 위한 신학적 논증, 곧 ‘요한적 논리’로 볼 수 있습니다. 그러므로 이번 사순절 기간의 여정은 하나님의 정체성과 목적, 그리고 하나님의 뜻의 깊은 곳으로 우리를 인도하며, 결국 예수 그리스도를 향한 설득력 있는 믿음과 마음속에 영원한 열정을 만들어 낼 것입니다.

오늘의 말씀은 예수님의 성육신(Incarnation: 하나님께서 육신을 입고 오심)의 신비로 시작됩니다. 우리는 창세기 1:1에서 하나님께서 시간(“태초에…”), 공간(“하늘…”), 물질(“땅…”)을 창조하셨음을 봅니다. 우리가 상상할 수 있는 가장 첫 순간, 곧 시간이 시작된 그 순간부터 요한은 하나님과 함께 말씀이 존재하셨다고 기록합니다. 여기서 저자는 헬라어 ‘로고스(logos)’라는 단어를 의도적으로 사용합니다. 로고스는 문자적으로 말, 선포, 메시지, 이성(이유)을 뜻하며, 독자들이 그의 논증을 분명히 이해하도록 돕습니다.

유대인들에게 ‘로고스’는 하나님의 창조의 능력, 하나님의 자기 계시, 그리고 하나님의 능동적인 임재를 의미했습니다. 왜냐하면 하나님은 말씀으로 창조하시고, 말씀으로 자신을 드러내시며, 말씀으로 자신의 뜻을 이루시기 때문입니다. 반면 헬라인(이방인)들에게 로고스는 우리가 존재하는 이유, 현실을 붙들고 있는 합리적 원리, 우주가 의미를 갖는 근거를 가리켰습니다. 그래서 요한은 이 로고스가 생명 자체(유대인의 이해)이며 동시에 빛(헬라인들이 말하는 깨달음/계몽)이라고 설명합니다.

우리의 소망은 예수 그리스도를 믿는 믿음이 우리에게 새로운 소망과 삶의 동기를 주고, 세상을 이기고 변화시키는 깊은 깨달음과 빛이 되게 하는 것입니다.

묵상(Reflection)

1. 이번 사순절 기간 동안 나는 무엇을 경험하고/받기를 소망하는가?

2. 성경이 우리에게 주신 하나님의 가장 큰 선물인 이유는 무엇인가?

기도(Prayer)

하나님, 말씀의 선물을 주셔서 감사합니다. 이번 사순절 기간 동안 제가 매일 성경을 읽고 하나님을 더 알아가는 데에 성실하고 절제된 마음으로 임하게 도와주세요. 하나님의 말씀의 능력으로 변화되고 새롭게 되기를 원합니다. 예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.