As to the question of God’s existence, the writings of John claim in relationship terms, that God the Father is the creator and sustainer of the cosmos, that he spoke creation into being, and ultimately revealed himself to us in the person of his Son Jesus Christ, who invites us to join his family.
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In matters of belief as to our origins, the world can broadly be divided into 2 groups: those who believe something, or someone is causative of the what-is-ness-of-what-is, and those who believe that some yet to be discovered naturalistic force is causative of the reality we all currently experience.
The ancient Jews were the first people group to claim that the entity which created the cosmos actually is a personality and called him God.
Their history of God’s relationship with this unspectacular people is documented in a group of writings called the Old Testament. However, no-one had seen the physical person of God, and the prophets of these writings, responding to the failure of these people to honour God, wrote that a new king would arise. This king would free the people from their slavery to other kings and slavery to the habits that caused their brokenness.
However, the idea that this God could narrow his glory and squeeze it into a human form was unimaginable to anyone then, and probably anyone now too! To me, today’s reading is the most explicit revelation of God in promising to rescue us from our desperate state, and the fulfilment of God coming as a man to save humanity and the cosmos.
Using relationship terms, God as Father of creation spoke creation into being (his Word), spoke to his prophets including John the Baptist who predicted the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus is God in human form, Light of the World, inviting us to join his family and enjoy the incredible status of children of God. John MacArthur explained how as follows: We do this by acknowledging Jesus’ claims, placing our faith in him, and by doing this, yield our allegiance to him. What an offer! It is open to everyone, but remember it only lasts while we are alive!
Head: Meditate on the concept of God as light, giving life to the world, overcoming the darkness that is in the world, and coming into the world as the true light in the form of Jesus Christ his Son.
Heart: You may not be the prettiest, or the wittiest, or the smartest person on the planet, but how does it feel to be invited to join God’s family and to the exalted status of child of God?
Hands: Reach out to someone in your circle this week who God puts on your heart and tell them about this incredible offer to join God’s family proposed in today’s reading.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for making me and rescuing me from my brokenness and hopelessness by giving me your Son and adopting me as your child. This is too wonderful for me to comprehend. I think of that beautiful hymn:
Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of my life spent with You.
A song to listen to: Light of the World
Sean Kluyts- Creek Road Presbyterian Church- Carina