Follow along as we read through God's word. You can choose the parts you want to read. Hopefully, you can do most of this on your phone, tablet, or computer.
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord God, as I get to know You better, I want to share more and more of Your heart and concerns.
Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Who do you consider to be your neighbors? What makes one a “neighbor”? How are you exercising your responsibilities as a “neighbor” to others?
God is ... What do we learn about God?
We are ... What do we learn about people?
When he was asked, “Who is my neighbor?”, Jesus told the parable of the Good
Samaritan. In our global community, what does it mean to be a “neighbor”?
Who do you consider to be your neighbor(s) today? What is your responsibility
towards that person or persons?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Identify a “neighbor” in need—whether nearby or not—and decide how and when you can be a “Good Samaritan” in a practical way.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. God, make me a good neighbor to anyone I can help. I want to be a “Good Samaritan,” too.
For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Life of Christ Blog notes.
a Samaritan … took pity on him. Jews and Samaritans generally hated each other; while one would not expect most Samaritans to accost Jews (especially on a road largely traveled by Jews), neither would one expect him to help, especially with robbers possibly still around. Some scholars suggest that the Samaritan would not know that the beaten man was Jewish, since he had been stripped of his clothing. On this road, however, the vast majority of travelers would be Jewish, so the wounded man’s Jewishness could probably be assumed.
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Pause to thank God now for the gift of this day and all that you’ll receive from him today.
Read = Matthew 13 with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. What do you think Jesus meant by “the Kingdom of Heaven”? What do you think it is or will be like? Why should we be concerned about it?
God is ... What do we learn about God?
We are ... What do we learn about people?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Take a walk outside sometime today and look at a garden and some weeds. Reflect on what they teach you about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, keep my mind and spirit watchful and alert to see signs of Your Kingdom all around me.
For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Life of Christ Blog notes.
Kingdom
of God (or kingdom of heaven) The ruleand authority of God
and every person and community of believers in whom that rule is accepted. The
Jews looked for Jesus to restore the kingdom of Israel as in David's time, but
Jesus established an eternal kingdom filled with both Jews and Gentiles. The
kingdom of God on earth today is the church that Jesus died to purchase (Matthew 16:18,19). Paul and John regarded the church as synonymous with the kingdom of
God (Colossians 1:13,14; Revelation 1:4-6 NASB or NIV).
What Does Jesus Say about Who Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus said in Matt. 7:21-23 that not everyone who thinks he is going to enter will be able--but he who does His will. Some sincere, busy people will be lost. They were lost because they were lawless; they did not do what God wills. Jesus said: • John 8:24 unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins John 3:16 • Luke 13:3,5 unless you repent, you will perish • Luke 14:27 "whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." • Luke 14:33 "So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions."
John 3:1-7 you must be born again to enter the kingdom. This birth is not optional. This birth is of the water and of the Spirit. This birth is a reference to baptism (3:22). In Mark 16:15,16 both faith and baptism are necessary to be saved. It is the one who both believes and in baptized who is saved.
The Church, the Kingdom, the Body and the House of God
It is called the Church in its Relation to the World (Malt. 16:18; Acts 20:28)
It is called the Kingdom in its Government (Malt. 16:19; Col. 1:13)
When Was the Church-Kingdom Established?
Before Acts 2, the Church-Kingdom is spoken of as Future • 760 B.C. kingdom established in the "last days" (Isa 2:2,3; Joel 2:28) • 600 B.C. to be established in the days of those kings (Dan. 2:44) • 555 B.C. the ancient of days (Dan. 7:13,14) • 28 A.D. John the Baptist, Jesus, twelve and seventy says kingdom is "at hand" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; Luke 10:19). • 29 AD. Jesus prayed for it to come (Matt. 6:9,10) • 30 A.D. Jesus predicted that He will build it (Mall. 16:18,19) • 30 AD. Jesus predicted some living would see it come with power (Mark 9:1) • 30 A.D. the kingdom shall come (Luke 22:18; 19:11) • 30 A.D. the disciples were waiting for it (Mark 15:43; Acts 1:6)
The Church is Established In 30 A.D.). In Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost In these "last days" (Acts 2:17) At Jerusalem (Luke 24:47) 3000 Added to them (Acts 2:4 1) Roman Kings in power (Dan. 2:44; Luke 2:1) Christ Risen and Exalted (Acts 2:22-3 6) During Lifetime of Disciples Standing in Jesus Presence (Mark 9:1) Kingdom Came with Power (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4)
After Acts 2, the Church-Kingdom is spoken of as a Present Reality • 30 A.D. the church is a functioning body of people (Acts 2:47; 5:11) • 37 A.D. the church is persecuted (Acts 8:1) • 45 A.D. the church is active (Acts 13:1-3; 14:27) • 63 A.D. the church-kingdom is in existence (Col. 1:13,14; 1 Tint 3:15) • 96 A.D. the kingdom has been purchased by the blood of Christ (Rev. 1:4-6; 5:9,10) • 96 A.D. John is in the Kingdom (Rev. 1:9)
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, continue to do Your good work in me as I read and study Your Word today.
Read = Mathew 6:5-7:29 with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Is it really possible not to worry, as Jesus says here? What things worry you the most? How can your faith help you deal with those worries?
God is ... What do we learn about God?
We are ... What do we learn about people?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Write down on paper the things that are worrying you the most right now. Pray for God to help you trust him and then tear up the paper and “throw your worries away.”
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Pray and thank God that he is big enough to deal with anything and everything that worries you.
For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Life of Christ Blog notes.
IS IT WRONG TO WORRY? (Matthew 6:25) Jesus was emphasizing that we no longer have to worry. This is an invitation to rest in the arms of a loving Father. As humans, we sometimes cross the line and violate this principle when we allow ourselves to constantly focus on ourselves instead of God.
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank God that he wants you to come and be with him now—and that he welcomes you with love.
Read Matthew 5:1-6:4= with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. “If you live by the Sermon on the Mount, you’ll be happy.” Agree, disagree? Why? Is it possible to follow Jesus’ teaching completely in our modern society?
God is ... What do we learn about God?
We are ... What do we learn about people?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. There are many different attitudes and actions Jesus commends here. Choose one or two that seem difficult for you and try to begin practicing it or them today.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, I want to live the kind of life that You commend because I know that’s the way to be the happiest.
For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Life of Christ Blog notes.
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Lord, there is so much good help for me in the Bible. Help me today to learn more from it.
Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. What can you learn from this account of Jesus’ temptation that will help you when you are tempted? What temptations affect you the most?
God is ... What do we learn about God?
We are ... What do we learn about people?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. List the biggest temptations in your life. For each, jot down some practical strategies for resisting.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, I pray that throughout this day and the days ahead, You will help me to resist temptation and honor You.
When those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight.
Jesus told John the Baptist, “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Mt 3:15). Jesus followed God’s will by resisting the devil’s temptations and by teaching, preaching, and healing. Jesus gave his disciples the most rewarding job. He taught them to reach out to people with the Good News of God. When I was in high school, our family used to fish every year during spring break. One year my brother and my mom couldn’t go, so my dad let me invite a friend. I asked Mark. He was a good pal and a great sport. He got permission from his parents, and we began planning our trip. We loaded our camper and set out for the lake. We arrived late at night, unfolded the camper, and went to bed—dreaming of tomorrow’s day in the sun. But during the night, an unseasonably strong norther blew in. It got cold fast! The wind was so strong that we could barely open the camper door the next morning. The sky was gray. The lake was a mountain range of white-topped waves. There was no way we could fish in that weather. “No problem,” we said. “We’ll spend the day in the camper. After all, we have Monopoly. We have Reader’s Digest. We all know a few jokes. It’s not what we came to do, but we’ll make the best of it and fish tomorrow.” We were in for a surprise. The next morning it wasn’t the wind that made the door hard to open, it was the ice! It was a long day. It was a long, cold night. When we awoke the next morning to the sound of sleet slapping the canvas, we didn’t even pretend to be cheerful. We were flat-out grumpy. Mark became more of a jerk with each passing moment; I wondered what spell of ignorance I must have been in when I invited him. Dad couldn’t do anything right; I wondered how someone so irritable could have such an even-tempered son. We sat in misery the whole day, our fishing equipment still unpacked. The next day was even colder. “We’re going home” were my father’s first words. No one objected. I learned a hard lesson that week. Not about fishing, but about people. When those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight. But note the other side of this fish tale: When those who are called to fish, fish—they flourish! Are you a faithful worker in God’s service? Is it easier for you to share your faith or argue with another Christian? Ask God to help you become a successful fisher of people.
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. God, my Lord, I’m always eager to be with You and listen to You speak to me through Your Word and Spirit.
Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. If John the Baptist had a message for us today, what do you think it would be? How do you think he would look, communicate, and be received by people?
God is ... What do we learn about God?
We are ... What do we learn about people?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. John told his listeners how to produce “fruit in keeping with repentance.” If you need to produce any or any more of that fruit, adopt one of John’s suggestions.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, sometimes Your Word makes me uncomfortable but I do want to hear it clearly and obey it fully.
(1) to get away from distractions so he could hear
God's instructions;
(2) to capture the undivided attention of the people;
(3) to
symbolize a sharp break with the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who
preferred their luxurious homes and positions of authority over doing God's
work;
(4) to fulfill Old Testament prophecies that said John would be a voice
calling in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3).
The
purpose of John's preaching was to prepare people to accept Jesus as God's Son.
When John challenged the people to confess sin individually, he signaled the
start of a new way to relate to God. Is change needed in your life before you
can hear and understand Jesus' message? You have to admit that you need
forgiveness before you can accept it. To prepare to receive Christ, repent.
Denounce the world's dead-end attractions, sinful temptations, and harmful
attitudes.
Beyond Words
John's
message demanded at least three specific responses:
(1) Share what you have with
those who need it;
(2) whatever your job is, do it well and with fairness;
(3) be content with what you're earning.
John had no time to address comforting
messages to those who lived careless or selfish lives—he was calling the people
to right living. Just as a fruit tree is expected to bear fruit, God's people
should produce a crop of good works. God has no use for people who call
themselves Christians but do nothing about it. Like many people in John's day
who were God's people in name only, we are of no value if we are Christians in
name only. If others can't see our faith in the way we treat them, we may not be
God's people at all.
==============
Kill to Make Alive
(Luke
3:1-20)
John was not a smooth, comfortable preacher. He was blunt, confrontive. He
pulled no punches, and preached a message of coming wrath. He was one of those
"sin" preachers that folks today seem to find so distasteful.
John's warning not to rely on descent from Abraham (v. 8) struck at a
root of first-century Jewish faith. As the chosen people, the seed of Abraham,
and possessors of God's Law, many felt their standing with God was secure. John
attacked this favored doctrine, and demanded repentance matched by moral
reform.
Perhaps it's surprising, but people often hunger for just this kind of
preaching. Deep down everyone senses he is not what he could or should be.
There's a sense of relief when pretenses are stripped away, and we're forced not
only to face our need—but are given hope that we may somehow become better than
we are.
It's this that kept crowds coming to hear John, and wondering in their hearts
if John might be the Christ. And it's this that makes modern John-like messages
of repentance and "unquenchable fire" messages of "good news" too (vv. 17-18). The
Bible's "condemning" word about sin isn't condemning at all! In demanding that
we face our guilt, Scripture brings rather than annihilates hope. Only when we
face guilt do we seek forgiveness, and find the new life in the Jesus that John
preached.
So while you and I rightly major on the grace of God when sharing Jesus with
others, it's not wrong now and then to stand, like John, and fearlessly rebuke
both sin and sinner. The word that condemns is at times the door of hope.
Personal Application
Let God guide you when to share the Good News in the guise of bad.
Quotable
"Ministers who can preach the Gospel of Jesus in our kind or civilization
without making anyone uncomfortable deserve an automobile for the difficult
feat. And they need one to compensate them for the lack of spiritual vitality
which makes performance of the feat possible."—Reinhold Niebuhr
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Praise God today for the good news that the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born.
Read = Luke 2:1-40 with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Why do you suppose the lowly shepherds were the first to hear of Jesus’
birth? How would you share the angel’s good news in our time?
God is ... What do we learn about God?
We are ... What do we learn about people?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Ponder how you could most effectively share the good news of Jesus with a friend or coworker. Then, look for opportunities today to do it.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, I’m grateful for the good news of Jesus. Help me to be able to share it effectively with others.
For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my notes on Life of Christ Blog notes.
GO
TELL IT ON A MOUNTAIN -- "When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about
this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to
them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had
heard and seen, which were just as they
had been told." Luke 2:17-20
Having
heard the angel’s pronouncement concerning Jesus’ birth, and the angels
praising God, the shepherds left their fields and flocks to find Jesus.
Theywanted to see for themselves.
After
they had seen Jesus, they didn’t keep the amazing circumstances to themselves.
As the Gospel of Luke records,“they
spread the word.” Then, theyreturned to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God.
No
further description is provided about these shepherds in the Scriptures
regarding how their lives were impacted by what they had heard and seen. But,
it’seasy to imagine that they were
never quite the same. It’s not difficult to believe that they kept telling the
story to anyone willing to listen.
Today,
we’re not much different than the shepherds were. We, like them, have the
opportunity to encounter Jesus. We, like them, can be changed by the
encounter.We, like them, can share the
good news about Jesus wherever our journeys take us. We, like them, can praise
and glorify God. And we, like them, can return to our responsibilities and
roles in life and keep telling others about the King of Kings.
Thought
of the Day: As we have celebrate the incarnation of
Christ, may we choose not to keep the Good News of Jesus a secret. Out of
thanksgiving for what God has done for us and in us, let’s praise and glorify
Him, and share the good news with whomever is willing to listen.
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank God today for giving you his written Word, the Bible and the Living Word, Jesus Christ.
Read Luke 1:1-80 = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. How important do you think it is that Luke says his account of Jesus’ birth is based on eyewitness accounts? Does anything in this account surprise or trouble you?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. The angel’s appearance must have been a surprise. Today, ask God to surprise you in some way with some good news or event. Be alert and open to God’s surprise.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, I want to be willing to hear You and accept Your Word to me no matter how surprising it may seem.
For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Life of Christ Blog notes.
Luke 1:29‐30, 34, 35, 37 ‐‐ “‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.’"
There is no more wonderful experience than living in the presence and purpose of God. No matter how much you desire and believe this truth, you can still fall short of what God has for you. Mary questioned God as she was being filled with a revelation from Him. She even gets a double confirmation with the news about her cousin, Elizabeth, and her pregnancy. Mary finds herself faced with the overwhelming challenge of believing that God is on the verge of doing what sounds impossible.
You too will often be faced with stretches of your faith. These stretches expose a gap between where God is calling you and where your physical world/reality is. This gap becomes the divide between your ability to experience God or to live and be controlled by the world. God does not want you to live to the edge of your world – He wants you to live the impossible by stepping out in faith to experience what He has for you.
Abraham did this in Hebrews 11:19 ‐‐ “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” Living the impossible with Christ fills your life with His presence, power, and love. Do not allow your life of faith to be restricted by the limitations of this world – allow it to be filled with the presence and work of Christ in you!
Mark 9:23‐24 (NEB) ‐‐ “‘If it is possible,’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible to one who has faith.’ ‘I have faith,’ cried the boy’s father, ‘help me where my faith falls short.’”Matthew 17:20 (NIV) ‐‐ “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’"
=================
Let God Do the Impossible
While Zacharias was burning incense on the altar, he was
also praying, perhaps for a son or for the coming of the Messiah. In either
case, God answered his prayer. He would soon have a son, who would prepare the
way for the Messiah. God answers prayer in his own way and in his own time. He
worked in an "impossible" situation—Zacharias's wife was barren—to bring
about the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. If you want
to have your prayers answered, you must be open to what God can do in
impossible situations. And you must wait for God to work in his way, in his
time.
Faithfulness
Zacharias and Elizabeth were faithful people, yet they were
suffering. At that time some Jews did not believe in a bodily resurrection, so
their hope of immortality rested on their children. In addition, children would
care for their elderly parents, and they added to the family's financial
security and social status. Children were considered a blessing, and
childlessness was seen as a curse. Zacharias and Elizabeth had been childless
for many years, and at this time they were too old to expect any change in their
situation. They felt humiliated and hopeless. But God was waiting for the right
time to encourage them and take away their disgrace. If you are facing
difficult times, remain faithful to God. One day, in this world or in the world
to come, God will take away your pain and replace it with his glory and peace!
Feeling Inadequate
Mary was young, poor, female—all characteristics that, to
the people of her day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task.
But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever
demanded of anyone. You may feel that your ability, experience, or education
make you an unlikely candidate for God's service. Don't limit God's choices. He
can use you if you trust him.
Willing Obedience
A young unmarried girl who became pregnant risked disaster.
Unless the father of the child agreed to marry her, she would probably remain
unmarried for life. If her own father rejected her, she could be forced into
begging or prostitution in order to earn her living. Mary, with her story about
being made pregnant by the Holy Spirit, also risked being considered crazy.
Still Mary said, despite the possible risks, "May everything you said come
true." When Mary made that statement, she didn't know about the tremendous
opportunity she would have. She only knew that God was asking her to serve him,
and she willingly obeyed. Don't wait to see the bottom line before offering
your life to God. Offer yourself willingly, even when the outcome seems
difficult.
God Delivers
When told he would have a son, Zacharias had doubted the
angel's word. From his human perspective, his doubt had been understandable—but
with God, anything is possible. Although Zacharias and Elizabeth seemed long
past the age of childbearing, God gave them a child! It is easy to doubt or
misunderstand what God wants to do in our life. Even God's people sometimes
make the mistake of trusting their intellect or experience rather than God.
When tempted to think that one of God's promises is impossible, remember his
work throughout history. God's power is not confined by narrow perspective or
bound by human limitations. Trust him completely.
God's Good Gifts
When Mary said, "Now generation after generation
forever shall call me blest of God," was she being proud? No, she was
recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her
incredible position, she would have been throwing God's blessing back at him.
Pride is refusing to accept God's gifts or taking credit for what God has done;
humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don't
deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them to his
glory.
God's Family
The circumcision ceremony was an important event in the
family of a Jewish baby boy. God commanded circumcision when he was beginning
to form his holy nation (Genesis 17:4-14), and he reaffirmed it through Moses
(Leviticus 12:1-3). This ceremony was a time of joy when friends and family
members celebrated the baby's becoming part of God's covenant nation. Today
there is also great joy when a baby is born, and some churches have special
ceremonies to commemorate the blessed event. You were born into a human family,
but to become a part of God's family, you must accept Jesus as your Savior. Are
you a part of God's family?
God's Power and Faithful People
Zacharias had just recalled hundreds of years of God's
sovereign work in history, beginning with Abraham and going on into eternity.
Then, in tender contrast, he personalized the story. His son had been chosen
for a key role in the drama of the ages. Although God has unlimited power, he
chooses to work through frail humans who begin as helpless babies. Don't
minimize what God can do through those who are faithful to him. You may not
feel as though you can do much for God, but all he requires is faith and a
willing spirit. Let God do his work in and through you!
You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:
Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank You, God, that You sent Your Son into the world to demonstrate Your great love for us.
Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. What do you find most striking or significant about what this passage says about Jesus? Has it changed or deepened what you believe about Jesus in any way?
Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Write a few sentences that describe what you believe about Jesus, why he came to earth, and what all that means to you.
Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Lord, help me to understand more and more about who Jesus is and what he means to my life.
That misunderstanding of Christian
faith is common in both Muslim and Jewish circles. And yet Christians claim,
"No. We have one God, the God of the Old Testament, who is shown in the
New Testament to exist in three Persons."
It's nonsense to many, of course.
And yet as we read John's first verses, we see that this is just what the Bible
teaches. The Word, a few verses later on identified as the Son incarnate, Jesus
Christ, was there in the beginning. He was with God. And He was God.
Many attempts have been made to find
an analogy that will help us better grasp the mystery of the Trinity: the
Three-in-Oneness of Scripture's one God. All fall short. The Trinity remains a
mystery. Perhaps the best suggestion though was made in the fourth century of
our era by Saint Augustine. Augustine argued that God must be a Trinity, for
God is love. Before the Creation of the world, God must have had someone to
love, and some way to convey love. It follows, Augustine taught, that there
must be Three within the oneness of God: a Father to love, a Son to be the
object of that love, and a Holy Spirit to convey and express love.
What a thought. Before God created,
God was a Person who loved. Because He existed as a Trinity, God has always
been able to express that love fully within His own being. And yet God's love
is so great that it overflowed beyond His own self. In love God created the
world and populated it with persons in His own image. In love God gave those
persons freedom of choice. And, in love, God sacrificed the Son He loved to
preserve all who believe from the disastrous and eternal consequences of the
choices they have made.
The Gospel of John is not only the
Gospel of belief and faith, as most emphasize. John is the Gospel of
unimaginable love.
Personal
Application
Considering who Jesus is can deepen
your love for Him.
Quotable
"Alexander, Caesar,
Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but on what foundation did we rest the
creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love;
and at this hour millions of men would die for Him."—Napoleon Bonaparte
