JOHN CHAPTER 1
Read: Genesis 1:1-27; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; Revelation 21:5
Our favorite childhood stories all begin with the words, "Once upon a time." Those words captivate our hearts and open our minds to the endless possibilities of knights, dragons, princesses and trolls. "Once upon a time" stirs our imagination with dreams of adventures that take place at any time in any location our minds can imagine. The mystery and wonder of "Once upon a time" come with the unknown of what may have already happened. Why was Snow White's stepmother so vain, and where did she get that mirror? What happened to Cinderella's father? Why is Gepetto all alone? These questions come when we are dropped into the middle of a "Once upon a time."
As John opens his Gospel account, he does not use any random point in history, any "once upon a time." He begins by taking his reader to the very beginning of time itself. There is no question what happened before; there is no "before." "In the beginning" there was God.
John's quote of the first words of the Torah must have captivated his original readers. An old story they knew well was suddenly new. The curtain was pulled back, and we begin to make the connection between God and a man named Jesus whose story John is about to unfold.
From the Genesis account, we are told creation came into being by the spoken Word of God, "God said, ‘Let there be …'" and it was so. The rhythm of the creation poem reiterates that creation came to be by the power of God's spoken Word. Now, millennia later, John explains that this Word became flesh and came to dwell on earth (John 1:14) and that all things were made through Him (John 1:3). Later the Apostle Paul adds that not only was everything made by Jesus, but the entire creation is held together by Him (Colossians. 1:15-17). The author and sustainer of life has come to live among us. Long before Jesus was known as a teacher, healer, philosopher or prophet, He was and is the very Word of God, through whom God spoke all things into existence.
This story is not a fairytale, but a beautiful account of a new beginning. Jesus has come to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). Perhaps you would like to start over. This same Word that spoke the world into existence stands ready to do a transformative work in you.
Read: Genesis 1:1-27; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; Revelation 21:5
Our favorite childhood stories all begin with the words, "Once upon a time." Those words captivate our hearts and open our minds to the endless possibilities of knights, dragons, princesses and trolls. "Once upon a time" stirs our imagination with dreams of adventures that take place at any time in any location our minds can imagine. The mystery and wonder of "Once upon a time" come with the unknown of what may have already happened. Why was Snow White's stepmother so vain, and where did she get that mirror? What happened to Cinderella's father? Why is Gepetto all alone? These questions come when we are dropped into the middle of a "Once upon a time."
As John opens his Gospel account, he does not use any random point in history, any "once upon a time." He begins by taking his reader to the very beginning of time itself. There is no question what happened before; there is no "before." "In the beginning" there was God.
John's quote of the first words of the Torah must have captivated his original readers. An old story they knew well was suddenly new. The curtain was pulled back, and we begin to make the connection between God and a man named Jesus whose story John is about to unfold.
From the Genesis account, we are told creation came into being by the spoken Word of God, "God said, ‘Let there be …'" and it was so. The rhythm of the creation poem reiterates that creation came to be by the power of God's spoken Word. Now, millennia later, John explains that this Word became flesh and came to dwell on earth (John 1:14) and that all things were made through Him (John 1:3). Later the Apostle Paul adds that not only was everything made by Jesus, but the entire creation is held together by Him (Colossians. 1:15-17). The author and sustainer of life has come to live among us. Long before Jesus was known as a teacher, healer, philosopher or prophet, He was and is the very Word of God, through whom God spoke all things into existence.
This story is not a fairytale, but a beautiful account of a new beginning. Jesus has come to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). Perhaps you would like to start over. This same Word that spoke the world into existence stands ready to do a transformative work in you.
Word of God made flesh,
Breathe new life in me. As you spoke creation into being, speak to my heart that I might know you even as John knew you. I have no life apart from you. You hold me together. Help me surrender to your embrace and live my life as you intended in the beginning.
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