Jesus is the Word – Be Still…

John 1:1-18 – This is Him!

Was your mind blown just a little bit by this reading? We’re starting the Gospel of John, and right away we meet Jesus. But Jesus’ name is not directly mentioned here. He’s first introduced to us as the “Word.” Before he was known as Jesus, He was the Word. He has always been God.

How fitting that God would choose an earthly relative of Jesus to be the one preparing the way. John the Baptist wasn’t any random person, but Jesus’ own cousin. We’re told this messenger spoke of Jesus as the “light.” Jesus wasn’t just any light coming from a lamp or a lightbulb. Remember, there was no electricity at that time, so the idea of light would have been much different. Continue reading “John 1:1-18 – This is Him!”

John 1:1-14 – The Word and The Light

Read John 1:1-14

This is one of my favorite Christmas texts that seems to become richer in meaning with each passing year. Who is the Word? Jesus is who we recognize here. Feel the thrill when you picture Jesus so active in creation. There is such an intimacy at work as we meet our Savior as also the light who created us. We know Jesus’ humanity, but here we see clearly his divinity.

God’s design and purpose for each of us is so perfect. We are the ones who mess it up when we choose our own way. Even those who could have personally met Jesus when he walked the earth, rejected him. What a tragic loss for them and for anyone who denies Jesus as Lord of their lives. Continue reading “John 1:1-14 – The Word and The Light”

John 1:1-18 – The Eternal Word

Read John 1:1-18

Here’s an exercise to try. Reread this text, verses 1-5 and 14, but replace the word “Word” with “Jesus.” You now have an entirely different, richer picture of who Jesus really is. Jesus was very much part of creation, and all that exists can be eternally grateful. As the “Word,” Jesus represents all truth, including the Word of God.

What goes through your mind when you realize that Jesus is not only our Savior but our Creator? God wasn’t about to create something so precious only to see it destroyed by sin. God knew we would stumble and be lost without Him. How the heart of God must break when so many people disregard Jesus’ involvement in their lives! When is the last time you thanked God for creating you or something you encounter each day? Even as believers, we get a bit lax when it comes to our gratitude because we start to take God for granted. Continue reading “John 1:1-18 – The Eternal Word”

Christmas ? John 1:1-14 – Word

Read John 1:1-14

Our Christmas reading selections would not be complete without this passage from John’s gospel. There are no smelly stables or glowing angels in this story, only powerful messages about who Jesus is! We often forget that Jesus played an instrumental role in creation. He is also the Word bringing light to everyone.

Jesus is the “true light” available to all. Yet there are many people who reject the light of Christ in their lives. Either they don’t know the joy of Jesus’ saving grace, have never heard about Jesus, or have decided they don’t need Jesus because everything is “good.” How do you get across to this dark world that life can be so much better than “good” with Jesus in it?

2 Peter 3:1-7 – Last Days

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7

Peter believed this “last days” discussion to be of utmost importance for us moving forward in faith. He isn’t discussing the “when” or “how” the last days will take place but tells of a sign we can expect. We may even be seeing good examples of Peter’s description today. He said, to expect people to be “mocking the truth and following their own desires.” You can’t turn on a news program or read news on the internet without seeing some group or individual challenging Christians and mocking the truth on which we stand. And with such a self-seeking society, people regularly follow their own desires seeking to “be happy” or to live “their” truth.

The truth Christians profess is Jesus, the Word made flesh. We know there is no other truth, yet we stand by and let other people do their “own thing” in the guise of “freedom.” Certainly, we expect the same courtesy to be able to speak the truth about Jesus, without being criticized or marginalized. Sadly, many Christ-followers keep quiet out of fear because we do take the heat for trusting Jesus.