The Word Divides

The Word Divides

Part V

John 1:14-18
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.”

The problem! The crux of the matter, John declares and John (the Baptist), “testifies”, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Two eyewitnesses declare when you see Jesus Christ you see God! But if you refuse to accept this reality then you have refused “grace and truth” and “one blessing after another.” You may not agree or believe but what John is saying if you want to know God, in a filial way it is “through Jesus Christ.” The Word divides!
While Moses was a prophet of God and saw the backside of God, Moses never saw the face of God. Why? God is not flesh and blood or made of matter and is eternal. God gave Moses, the written Word, which is God breathing forth revelation of Himself, revealing the character and otherness of God, however, the written Word is not God. In other words, we do not take our bibles, nor was Moses to take the two stone tablets, which is the word of God, and bow down and worship the written pages or engraved stone; we worship the God who breathed His word. How then do we know God? John has already indicated that it is impossible to know God unless God makes Himself known. The gospel begins reminding us that creation declares the reality of God, however when Adam or Eve rebelled the curse was pronounced by God and humankind was kicked out of the garden. Going forward all humankind is at enmity (a hostility exist) with God. The Gospel of John tells about a second genesis, a new beginning, and a rebirth that God is doing in and through His, Son, “the One and only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” What is impossible for man is not impossible for God. The Gospel then is about the Gospel of God. God chooses to shine light in the darkness, by entering the world, taking on flesh, and speaking face to face with humankind. When you see Jesus, you see God. The book of Hebrews say it this way; “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the exact representations of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:1-3) The Johns got it, “He comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”

It is hard to believe, in fact impossible to believe, you must be “born again.” Today is the day of salvation, fall into the loving arms of God through Jesus Christ. In Christ, can one be reconciled to God. John is saying there is no other way.