SCRIPTURE: No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18 KJV
THOUGHT: We’re almost to the end of 2023, and we’re also almost to the end of John’s prologue – some of you are probably glad of both! In fact, today is my final thought on that great piece of writing, where John wraps up his intro to the history behind the birth of Jesus. He’s about to get into the particulars: the stories, the ministry, the healings, the “doing life together” of walking with the God-man for three years. But before he leaves his intro, he reminds us that Jesus has special status one last time. Not only is he the Word who was with God from the beginning and the Light and Life of mankind, he is the one who, because he has been with God, has the right to speak with authority on what is largely mystery to us. We should be all ears to what Jesus declares because Jesus is revelation.
Ironically, John’s gospel is not the only revelation God granted the humble fisherman. To him was also revealed how the story of God for the earth would end. But even before that amazing piece is given to him, John is in awe of the incredibly mystery of the Word made flesh that he walked and talked with for three years. He is skeptical in no way that the Jesus he ate dinner with also communed with God at creation. And right now, John says, Jesus is as close to the Father’s heart as he can get.
The thought for today is that, hidden with Christ, we are carried to the Father’s heart as well. As Jesus prepared himself to return to that coveted place from earth, he prayed glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed (Jn 17:5 ESV). And then he prayed for you and I, asking that we might all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me (Jn. 17:21).
That’s powerful! To be present and connected to Jesus is to be present and connected to God. And from that connection, that river of life flowing in and around us, we bear witness to a world that is searching to know if there is really anything special about Jesus.
SONG: Noel, Lauren Daigle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGg7KdN19rs
PRAYER: Oh Triune God, we are in awe of you. Help us bear witness to the Word, the Light, the Resurrection and Life. We hear you in his words, see you in his illumination, and feel his life flowing through our veins!
Dear Reader,
I’m glad you’re along and I pray you will be blessed, challenged, and encouraged in your faith by something you read here.
There are archives by topic below – now more than 1000 of these daily meditations to browse.
ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
FREE TO YOU:
If you’d like to be notified of this blog each weekday, please look for the little blue “follow” button below (just above the topical search), and welcome!
asipoblog.com 