The Jesus Bible Reading PlanНамуна

THE WORD OF GOD

From the very beginning of creation, God has been making himself known to people by his revealed word. In Genesis 1 we read the account of God speaking the world into existence, then speaking relationally to Adam (Ge 1:27 – 30). In Exodus 3, God spoke to Moses from a burning bush, calling him to be his agent to liberate Israel from slavery in Egypt. Throughout the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), God gave instructions to his chosen people so that they would know the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love. . . .

From the beginning, Jesus, the Word, was with God and was God (Jn 1:1). In this verse, John is making a very important Trinitarian statement: Jesus is not just like God; rather, Jesus actually is God. But Jesus is also with God, meaning that Jesus is separate from God. This mystery is explained through the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. This biblical doctrine explains that God exists in three persons, being of one substance, power and eternity. This doctrine is clear in Scripture, and without it, the message of the gospel falls apart. For example, in delivering the Great Commission, Jesus commands his church to baptize his disciples “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19), the three members of the Trinity. This doctrine has been affirmed throughout church history.

Jesus is the eternal “Word of the Father.” Therefore we understand his powerful role in creation, for “through him all things were made” (Jn 1:3). But the great mystery of the gospel is that Jesus came to live with us; he left his position as creator and ruler of the universe to become human and endure all of the miseries of this life. He came to earth to completely identify with us in order that we might in turn identify with him and receive him as our Savior and Lord. And to those who receive him, he gives the amazing promise that they will be the very children of God (v. 12), not simply permitted into the presence of God as servants or guests. Rather, they are eternally welcomed into the house of God as his own sons and daughters, heirs of all of God’s promised blessings (Gal 4:4 – 7).

Jesus, even though you are God of the universe, you came to earth to identify with me and to save me from myself. Thank you. I praise and worship your precious name. Amen.