June 13, 2013 - John 1:18

            No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.  John 1:18

            Jesus, the One and Only God referred to in this verse, is the One who made God, the Father, known to the people around Him.  Because He came from being in the Father’s presence and then returned there, Jesus is the Only One to have ever seen God.  Jesus knew what the Father looked like, and He spoke with authority about His Heavenly Father because He knew Him, had heard His voice, and had been with Him.  There was intimacy in Their relationship.

            I readily admit that it has been a struggle for me, as I have longed to experience having a deeper sense of intimacy with God.  Unlike Jesus, I didn’t come from the Father’s presence in the same way that He did.  I don’t know what He looks like, for I have never seen Him.  And I don’t really hear Him speak to me in the same way that I hear my wife or children.  The way that I hear Him and the way that He becomes present and known to me is through the Bible, which is the assembly of the holy writings of many men over 1500 years and three continents.  It is through this collection of writings that I sense the Holy Spirit of God speaking to me and giving me a sense of who God, the Father, is.

            Questions to consider: Has the Father made Himself known to you?  If so, how does that happen in your life?  How intimate do you think Jesus was with God?  Do you struggle with intimacy with God?  Is there anything that Jesus did to be intimate with His Father that you could try to do?

            Prayer: Father, sometimes it’s difficult for me to be intimate with You, because I don’t see You or know that You hear me.   I believe, yet help my unbelief.  Draw me into Your presence and help me to be aware of You throughout my day.  Amen.

June 6, 2013 - John 1:17

            For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  John 1:17

            It seems to me that this verse encapsulates the difference between religion and being a follower of Jesus.  In religion, humans do whatever they can to reach God through their own efforts.  This is exemplified by people attempting to reach God by trying to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses.  The grace and truth that came from God through Jesus was God’s free offer to all humans to enter into a new, restored relationship with God.  It had nothing to do with our efforts or actions.  Living by the grace and truth of God was not a result of anything we could do for ourselves.  Religion, in all of its manifestations, including religious forms of Christianity, is merely human effort to reach God; the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ is God’s effort to reach and to reconcile humanity to Himself.

            On a personal level, I am challenged to not get seduced into thinking that there are things or actions I can do on my own to earn me the right to enter into the presence of God.  It is easy for me to imagine that, if only I did certain things or did a certain number of good things, I would be allowed into His presence.  Usually I can tell when I am thinking this way, because I get anxious or irritable and I lack the internal peace that He gives.  It is only when I humble myself and follow what I sense to be the leading of the Holy Spirit, that I enter into a place where I can hear God’s quiet whisper and can follow His leading.

            Questions to consider: Is there a difference between the Law of Moses and the grace and truth of Jesus Christ?  If so, what is it?  How does it impact your life?  Do you struggle trying to work your way into God’s presence?  How are you able to enter His presence?

            Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace and truth given to us in Jesus.  Help me to open my arms to You in order to receive what You have for me.  Amen.