God's Word for Me Today
Monday, December 24, 2001
Unwrapping a Christ-Centered Christmas!
A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love for us, that moved You to give us the greatest gift of all—Jesus. As I go about this day, and as I join in worship with brothers and sisters in Christ this evening, let me be mindful of the joy I know, because of who You are and all You have done, and continue to do in my life through Jesus. I pray that You will forgive me for the sins I’ve committed and raise me to new life with Jesus, just as You promise. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit this day, that I may live the true power and grace that came to us on that first Christmas so long ago. These things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word for Me Today: John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4 Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. 5 The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
Questions for Reflection
What is the first thing you remember in your life?
When you think of light and life what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Why?
Questions for Exploration
What are the attributes of “the Word” who is introduced to us by John in this text? (1:1-4)
What is unique about “the light” as introduced to us in these verses? (1:4-5)
Questions for Understanding
Who is “the Word” mentioned in these verses? How do you know?
Who is “the light” mentioned in these verses? How do you know?
Questions for Application
Who are you going to bring to worship with you this evening who needs to know Jesus, or to know Him better?
What attribute of Jesus, as described in John 1:1-5 do you most need the Holy Spirit to impart into your life right now? Ask God to do it!
The Word Brings Light and Life!
John’s Gospel is unique in its presentation of who Jesus is and what He came to do. Right from the outset, John’s Gospel presents Jesus as “The Word,” or “The Logos,” in Greek. This Word is a being who is co-eternal with God and in fact IS God. John leaves no doubt from the very beginning that Jesus is God. Jesus is responsible for the creation of everything that exists. It’s important to point out that John calls Jesus “The Word,” and says that he created everything that exists, and when we turn to Genesis chapter one, we find that God “spoke” everything into existence. Time after time we read, “God SAID let there be………, and there was………” Jesus is God’s creative Word.
John tells us two other vital realities about Jesus in the verses five verses of His gospel. John tells us that Jesus is light, and that it is His light that shines in the darkness (read shines in the sin and evil of this world!). Jesus came to bring light to all the dark and desolate places of our lives. Jesus came to shine His light on our sin and evil, to overcome them by His sacrificial death and to give us an alternative---life. John tells us that Jesus’ life was the light for us all, and that his light could never be extinguished. The Devil tried to extinguish the light. He must have laughed as he saw Jesus hanging on the cross, executed as a common criminal. But three days later it became evident that the light could NOT be extinguished, and that His life was truly life.
John uses the word “zoe” for the life that Jesus offers, while the common Greek word for life is “bios.” We might say that the life we receive through physical birth is “zoe,” while the life we receive from Jesus when we are born again is “zoe.” Only Jesus can offer us “zoe,” God’s life. John points out the incredible uniqueness of Jesus. He is The Word who became flesh and lived among us. He is the Light of all the world that shines in the darkness and will NOT be extinguished. He is the Life, that is truly life and that can never die. That’s why Jesus is the greatest Christmas gift anyone can ever receive.
Tonight we will celebrate Jesus’ birth. Tonight we will gather and remember that Jesus is Light, and that His light cannot be extinguished. Tonight we will gather to remember that in Jesus was (and is and ever more shall be) LIFE, and that that life is our light forever. We have sought during this Christmas season to “unwrap a Christ-like Christmas.” In the end, the only one who can ensure that happens is each one of us. Each of us must receive the gift—Jesus into our lives, and allow Him to live and burn brightly. If you have never said, “Jesus, I want you to be in charge of my life. I want you to forgive my sins and become my Savior and Lord. I want your life to be the light for my life and to assure me that I will be with you forever,” then do it now. Take the time to receive the greatest Christmas gift of all. If you have done that that thank God for His most precious gift, Jesus, and show that thanks by living for Him always. A most blessed Christmas to all!
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