John 1:14
Stop.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Reflect on the gift of Jesus’ presence in your life. Take a few moments to give thanks for his love.
Listen.
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. – John 1:14
Reflect.
In John’s gospel, Jesus is God’s word made real and tangible in human flesh. No longer would God only teach or guide. Now, God would live among us as one of us. In Jesus, we receive a revelation of God’s desire for those who believe and follow.
Martin Luther referred to the Bible as the manger that holds Christ. In other words, he understood all of scripture as that which points us to God’s love made known in the incarnate Jesus. That’s the lens through which he read the Bible: how does this reveal Christ? Since then, it’s one of the ways the Lutherans in particular approach scripture. We look for how God’s word in the Bible reveals to us God’s word in Jesus.
Tomorrow, we’ll hear our first sermon in our current series “Word Of Life”. In it, each preacher will pick their own texts and talk about what those passages mean to them. Listen for how these passages and preachers talk about how they have come to know Jesus in more powerful ways because of these Bible verses. How do those scriptures reveal Christ to them and to you? How do they challenge us to worship and serve Jesus daily? How do they continue to call us out into the world that God so loves?
It doesn’t mean that your favorite Bible passage has to be a quote from Jesus or that a gospel reading is the only valid one. It means Jesus is the Word made flesh, just as John says. Scripture helps us understand Jesus and Jesus helps us understand scripture. As you consider your favorite verse, may it help you understand Jesus’ love for you more and more.
Pray.
Jesus, you are God’s word at work in this world. Speak truth and love into my heart today. Let me live as you have called me to live and love who you send me to love. Amen.
Carry On.
Keep revisiting your favorite verse. Do you have it memorized? How would you explain to someone how it reveals Jesus to you?