Monday, March 26, 2012

John 1-So it begins: Jesus the Word made Flesh

John 1
New International Version (NIV)
The Word Became Flesh
 1 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. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
 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.
 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.


 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[f]
John’s Disciples Follow Jesus
 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
   They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
   39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
   So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
   Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[g]).

Daniel’s Thoughts:

1.    The beginning: The Word

Jesus is the Word of God. Through him all things were created. Jesus is the light of the world and sustains everything with life. The Word became flesh taking on our form. Jesus humbled himself to be like us and experience life and suffering as we do. Jesus came to bring us grace and truth! Though we have never seen God through Jesus we have come to know God and his love, for he is the very Son of God!

2.    John prepares the way

John is the voice in the wilderness crying our to prepare the way for Christ. All that happens from John to Jesus ministry fulfills what was promised in the law and prophets. For Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) that was promised!

3.    Jesus begins his journey by calling men to follow him

Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, but then accepts an invitation to follow Jesus and see his ways and life. One day with Jesus is enough to convince him Jesus is the Messiah. He does not just believe this, he acts on it. Andrew leaves John and follows Jesus and bring his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus renames Simon as Cephas (Peter). So the discipleship of Peter begins with the testimony of his brother and then being called and appointed by Jesus.

And so the journey begins!


Daniel’s Prayer:

Father God

You have created all things through Christ!
Jesus are Lord of all
Through you all life is sustained.
For you are the light of the world.

Thank you for claiming us as your own
Thank you for washing us clean
That we have become children of God
By rebirth in the baptism of the Spirit

Lord you have blessed us with grace upon grace!

Jesus as you have called Peter
You have also called us
Each in our own way

Bless this journey to the Cross and beyond
Change my heart Lord!

Amen

No comments:

Post a Comment