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 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.
John 1:1-3
For the Adults:
Many Christians have so busied themselves with programs and activities that they no longer know how to be silent and meditate on God's word or recognize the mysteries that are in the Person of Christ.
-Ravi Zacharias
The Apostle John opens his gospel with a very familiar sentence, reminds us of Genesis 1. John refers to Jesus as the Word and the Greek word he uses is logos. When God wanted to tell human beings about Himself, when He wanted to give us the good news about salvation, He sent Jesus. Jesus is God's Word, His Message. And this Word was with the Father all along. Jesus is God and came to us as Savior, in human flesh. He is God with us, Emmanuel, the Messenger of messengers.
The flow of these first few verses makes this message pretty clear. The Word or logos was with God and is God. He did not progressively achieve or grow into this God status. He is, always was, and will always be God.
Everything John writes goes back to this fact; Jesus is 100% God and 100% human. The reason John nails this idea in these first few verses is because he knows that his readers have one of two lenses on, Greek philosophy or the teaching of the Jewish scribes.
That is still true of us today whether we come from a church background or not. Maybe your view is based on what your parents taught you, a pastor, or Sunday school teacher told you about God. Or maybe your view is rooted in some type of universal spirituality.
If you want to know who God is and what He’s all about, if you want to know what God’s purposes, His priorities, His desires, His heart, His mind, then look at Jesus.
For the children:
How does believing Jesus is God impact your view of Jesus?
How does Jesus challenge some of your ideas of God’s desires, purposes, and priorities?
Read and meditate:
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 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.
John 1:1-3
Pray:
Lord I know this pandemic has been hard on so many people, and so many people are looking for and asking about Jesus. Help me be a messenger for you.
I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior
Amen.
About the author:
Jose Aguilar Jr. is an Associate Pastor at FBC Weslaco and has served in this capacity for the last 11 years. He and his wife Blanca have served faithfully at FBC Weslaco since 2001. They are the proud grandparents of Lilyana Faythe and Trinidad Esperanza Aguilar.