Devotional

‍‍In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made …. and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:1-3 & 14

The world is saturated with words and information. There are approximately 500 million unique posts made each day on X alone. That equals 5,800 posts each minute, or 220 billion posts per year. Words and information are everywhere. It is nearly impossible to escape them. But not all words are the same.

But knowing about a person is not the same as knowing a person.

If you wanted to know about a prominent or interesting person, you could probably read a book about them or research them online. But knowing about a person is not the same as knowing a person. Knowing a person requires their intentional self-revelation.

In the opening verses of his gospel, the Apostle John refers to Jesus as the Word. He tells us that the Word was with God in the beginning, and the Word was God. This both affirms the deity of Christ and teaches us that Jesus is the true, intentional, self-revelation of God. God has spoken and revealed himself to us through his Son, the Word, who took on our flesh. In other words, to see Jesus is to see who God is. This truth should have a profound effect upon us.

God doesn’t just want us to know about him. He wants us to know him.

First, God doesn’t just want us to know about him. He wants us to know him. Truly. Personally. That’s why he came in flesh! From day one, the creation itself has been declaring God's glory for all to see (Psalm 19:1–3). Throughout the Old Testament, God spoke to his people through the prophets. But now, he has spoken through his own Son (Hebrews 1:1–2). God has revealed himself to us that we may know him. 

Second, because of Christ the Word, we can know God in a way that we couldn’t before the incarnation. John writes, “we have seen his glory …” (John 1:14). Likewise, the Apostle Paul tells us that in the face of Christ, we see the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6). God has taken deliberate steps to make himself known to us. He has pursued us. God sent his only begotten Son to take on our flesh, that in and through him we might see God and know him deeply and personally. Through the death and resurrection of Christ, God shouts to us of his eternal love and infinite power to save the worst of sinners. 

To behold Christ the Word is to believe that he is who he claimed to be...

To behold Christ the Word is to believe that he is who he claimed to be, and he has accomplished what he promised to accomplish. It is to believe that he alone is our great God and savior and that he alone was crucified on a cross as a propitiation for our sin (Romans 3:25). It is to believe that through his resurrection, he has conquered our enemies, sin, and death. It is to know that we are loved far beyond human comprehension. To behold the Word is to trust him completely and to entrust your entire life to his will and purpose. 

In a world full of empty and misleading words, may you behold Christ, the true Word. May you, by faith, receive the Word that God has spoken, that you may know God.

Liturgy

Father God,

You have spoken to us through the wonder and beauty of creation.
Each day, we are surrounded by a sermon that declares your glory.
But we have shut our eyes and closed our ears to your voice.
We have exchanged the truth for a lie.
Father, forgive us.

In perfect grace and love, you sent your Son, the eternal Word, to dwell with us.
Through Christ, we behold your unmatched glory,
we see your grace and truth,
and we hear you shout of your great love for sinners like us.

Father, teach us to know and trust Christ.
Give us understanding that we might reject all lies.
Give us the grace to believe your every word.
Give us a deep and abiding love for your truth, that we might know you more.

Amen