The Word Endures Forever

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For

“All flesh is like grass
   and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
   and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

That word is the good news that was announced to you.
                                                       (1 Peter 11:22-25 NRSV)

This is what we Christians do: we announce the word, which is the good news of Jesus Christ. Yes, we share the word: Jesus died for you.

Jesus is the Word. The Gospel of St. John (1:1-9, 14) tells us:

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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the word, which brings us truth and love light! May the Word of God abide in and through you forever.

God's Peace - Pr. J

                                                                                    

The Word Is God

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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 NRSV)

Many of us have a few favorite Bible verses. John 1:1-5 are ones that if you don't already know, I hope that you will remember. These verses remind us that Jesus is not a separate god from God the Father. He and the Father are one. Over the years, I have had more than one discussion with non-Trinitarians regarding the oneness of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These opening verses of John 1 give heartache and headache to those who say that they believe in Jesus Christ; yet, deny his deity.

Let me repeat verse 1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 

Jesus the Christ is the Word. He is true God. He is the light of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J.   

(Since John 1 refers back to the creation story; please, take a moment to also read and contemplate what it means for the Spirit to also have been present, hovering over the waters. (Gen 1:1-2 NIV))

The Light Is Jesus The Christ!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 NIV

The light shines in the darkness.  We are nearing the end of the secular calendar year even as we have already begun a new church year.  The church year begins with Advent, the time we prepare for the celebration of the light to come into the world. That light is God incarnate.  That light is Jesus the Christ.

Those who walk in the light know that no matter what happens; God is with them.  Almighty God, through whom all things were made, has a good purpose for those who love Him.  We shall not fear no matter how dark the valley of the shadow of death might be, for we see and we know the light that has come into the world.  The darkness can never overcome that light.  The world may pass away, but the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, shall never pass away.

Scripture tells us, the Word tells us, that no one may know the when the world will pass away. We cannot know the day or the hours.  Even though, we might see the signs and know that the time is coming, no one can know their last day in advance.  But, as for Christians, for those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, seeking the Kingdom of God, this is not a worry.  This is the day of celebration we wait for with hopeful anticipation. This will not be a dark day.  It will be a day filled with the glorious light of Christ and we will rejoice when we see God face to face, when we see Him with our own eyes and not the eyes of another!

Do not fret.  Christ has come, ushering in His Kingdom.  Christ is present.  Christ will come again bringing His Kingdom in all its fullness, in all its glory!  This is good news for all who believe!

May the light of Christ shine in and through you no matter how dark the days may become.  May the peace of the LORD, Jesus Christ, be with you during this Advent and Christmas season.

Pr. J.