Who is this man

 

The Word

John 1  “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God….The Word was made flesh “

Written at a time when much of the dust had settled. The Jews had determined to oppose Christ and the Gnostics were being exposed. John writes about one he had known so well, now know fully by the Holy Spirit.

“In the beginning” – takes us back to Genesis 1, where God spoke and His word was effective in designing, creating and ordering His new creation.

Now John1:1 , the beginning is qualified as the outcome of a person , the Word, revealed in a visible person – “The word was made flesh and dwelt among us”. Emphatically the creation is the work of God.

 

“The Word was with God” – this expresses the companionship in the Deity.

“The Word was God” – many consider John the Apostle as going too far so they manipulate the text. But John states the same in his letter – “Jesus Christ , He is the true God”. The Jews understood the claim of Jesus “My Father” as claiming equality with God. So they took up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. Jesus went on to demonstrate by signs that His claim was valid. Thomas expressed it so clearly when he saw the risen Jesus – “My Lord and my God” (John 20).

“All things were made by Him.” He alone could make something precise out of nothing. A world so finely tuned! As Isaiah said “He made the world to be lived in. not a place of empty chaos.” (Isaiah 45). And so it was.

But darkness intruded and chaos followed. Who then could be the light to dispel the darkness? Moses was indeed a candle, and John the Baptiser a lamp. But of the Word – “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men”. As He  came , even in the form of a man, He was the light of the world.

Verse 14 “We have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.” This unique person who was radiating the glory of  God the Father, could say:- “He that has seen me has seen the Father”

So much more could be written, but it is appropriate that I kneel and worship Him :

 “my Lord and my God”.

The Law fulfilled

 

The Law…..

“The LORD has magnified His law and made it glorious. Through it He has planned to show the world that He is righteous”  Isaiah 42:21

This significant verse has two interpretations.

1. The law was given through Moses to reveal the righteous character of God.

-God Himself as Holy

-God relating Himself to humanity as righteous (righteous meaning—right actions in all situations)

This righteousness is seen in both the unbending commands as well as the high standards of reconciliation by sacrifice. (nothing less)

2. The law was given to man, to Israel and they failed to honour it by persistent idolatry.  The law was fully and finally honoured in the person of Jesus. His holiness undimmed, unstained, along with His righteous behaviour in accord with God’s will as appropriate to the need and situation.

Well might God the Father say from heaven:

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”  (Matthew 3)

Such could not be said of any other. 

And so the law is significant as a light to the nations.

The law has been fulfilled in the radiant Lord Jesus Christ. All may see the Holiness and grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

The application is  - how precious that the Christian  is “in Christ”.

 

The fruit of living in the Holy Spirit

 

Lesson for today.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 gentleness, self-control.

--These are the outcomes  (fruit) of what we believe:

God loves all the people of the world – so we love.

God is good and worthy of praise – so we are joyful

God is in control -  so we have peace trusting Him

God waits patiently for all to turn to Him – so we are patient with others.

God is kind , even giving His Son – so we are selflessly kind

God is good with no ulterior motive or sinister intent.

God is faithful , keeping His promises – so should we.

God is gentle, even with the rebellious – so we ought to react with mercy.

God needs no self control. He has no inappropriate impulse. But we do!