Day 37 - FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR
Reading: John 1
Phenomenal. Jesus is the Creator. That means Jesus is God. Or is he? Perhaps we need more evidence - evidence that the Bible, that Jesus, that the apostles, that the early church – actually taught and believed that Jesus was both man..and God.
We need evidence because it’s too important to leave this truth hanging out there, loose and uncertain. If Jesus is God then we must know this and know this for sure and align our whole lives in response to it.
So, we’re looking for evidence.
Let’s begin with the Scriptures in the Bible that state clearly and unequivocally that Jesus is God. Today our focus is on the Gospel of John, on 4 passages in particular.
John 1: 1-3
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 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
This passage was written by Jesus’ closest disciple. In it he clearly teaches that Jesus is God, is Creator. We’ve already looked at that.
John 1: 14
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This passage spells out the incarnation. God became flesh, became a human being, and was seen and experienced by John and his fellow Jesus followers.
John 1: 18
18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
It’s incredible that despite passages like this, where there is a phrase stating that the Son is himself God, people still claim that the Bible doesn’t clearly teach that Jesus is God.
And then, of course, there is the confession of Thomas upon Jesus’ resurrection that forms our main reading for today. “My Lord and (just in case there is any confusion or doubt, he adds) my God.”
Meditate on these Scriptures.
Prayer
Thank You Lord, it gives me faith and courage to know that John, your closest friend, taught and believed that You are God.
For the family
Watch this animated video about John, then explain the study in an age-appropriate way.