Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Beginning of the 25 Day Lent
Philip Manuel and Laila Anie
Philip
Carmel MTC,
Boston
1 In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This is one of the great truths that set Christianity apart from other religions. According to Martin Luther, the great theologian: "The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that he sunk himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding."
The Word
The Word (Gk. “logos”) of God is more than speech; it is God’s agent for creation (Gen. 1:3, Ps. 33:6) and redemption (Ps.107:19-20).
Just like man's word is the manifestation or expression of himself to others, John's use of the word "logos" ("Word") is indicative of Jesus being the "expression" of God. John in his Gospel states that The Word (Jesus) is eternal (‘in the beginning’) and personal (was with God), and divine (was God) and became flesh (John 1:1-2, 14).
The Eternal nature of the Word
The word “eternal” is defined as “lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning.” There are numerous biblical passages that affirm the eternality of Christ (e.g., Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1; 8:58; 17:5, Heb. 13:8, Matthew 3:3, Revelation 1:17).
John emphasizes that the “Word (Jesus)” was with God when He created all things in the beginning as we read in Genesis 1:26 (Then God said, “Let’s make man in our images.)
The Divine nature of the Word
John makes a clear claim to the deity/divinity of Christ. He writes that "the Word was with God and the Word was God"(v.1). This shows an intimate union with the Trinity - distinct, co-equal, and co-eternal. The Trinity is one in substance and inseparable as we proclaim in the Nicene Creed. Jesus, himself, says "I am in the Father and the Father in Me." "I and the Father are one." "Anyone who has seen me has seen my Father.” (John 14:.9-11; John 10.30.)
The Human nature of the Word
The “Word” became flesh but not “peccable flesh.” He was made in “the likeness of sinful flesh.”(Rom. 8.3) Even though Christ was “made sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21.), He “knew no sin,” and was holy and blameless. Christ’s human nature was susceptible to weakness (John11:35, 19:28), but not to sin. (Philippians 2:6-11, Hebrews 4:14-15). So the “Word”, taking on limitations of flesh, did not relinquish His nature as God (Col. 2:9).
The Word “made his dwelling among us". Jesus was wholly a man and lived among the people. They knew Him, met Him, talked with Him and lived with him. Jesus was full of grace, kindness, favoring others, doing acts of good in healing and forgiving sins yet not tolerating of injustice.
This is one of the great truths that set Christianity apart from other religions. According to Martin Luther, the great theologian: "The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that he sunk himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding."
The Word
The Word (Gk. “logos”) of God is more than speech; it is God’s agent for creation (Gen. 1:3, Ps. 33:6) and redemption (Ps.107:19-20).
Just like man's word is the manifestation or expression of himself to others, John's use of the word "logos" ("Word") is indicative of Jesus being the "expression" of God. John in his Gospel states that The Word (Jesus) is eternal (‘in the beginning’) and personal (was with God), and divine (was God) and became flesh (John 1:1-2, 14).
The Eternal nature of the Word
The word “eternal” is defined as “lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning.” There are numerous biblical passages that affirm the eternality of Christ (e.g., Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1; 8:58; 17:5, Heb. 13:8, Matthew 3:3, Revelation 1:17).
John emphasizes that the “Word (Jesus)” was with God when He created all things in the beginning as we read in Genesis 1:26 (Then God said, “Let’s make man in our images.)
The Divine nature of the Word
John makes a clear claim to the deity/divinity of Christ. He writes that "the Word was with God and the Word was God"(v.1). This shows an intimate union with the Trinity - distinct, co-equal, and co-eternal. The Trinity is one in substance and inseparable as we proclaim in the Nicene Creed. Jesus, himself, says "I am in the Father and the Father in Me." "I and the Father are one." "Anyone who has seen me has seen my Father.” (John 14:.9-11; John 10.30.)
The Human nature of the Word
The “Word” became flesh but not “peccable flesh.” He was made in “the likeness of sinful flesh.”(Rom. 8.3) Even though Christ was “made sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21.), He “knew no sin,” and was holy and blameless. Christ’s human nature was susceptible to weakness (John11:35, 19:28), but not to sin. (Philippians 2:6-11, Hebrews 4:14-15). So the “Word”, taking on limitations of flesh, did not relinquish His nature as God (Col. 2:9).
The Word “made his dwelling among us". Jesus was wholly a man and lived among the people. They knew Him, met Him, talked with Him and lived with him. Jesus was full of grace, kindness, favoring others, doing acts of good in healing and forgiving sins yet not tolerating of injustice.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to
approach your throne of grace with humility and confidence and to receive you
as our Lord and personnel Savior. Give us the courage to be a true witness for
you in all circumstances. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Is our life a true witness for Jesus in all circumstances?
Is our life a true witness for Jesus in all circumstances?