The God Who was in the Beginning is Our God

The God Who was in the Beginning is Our God

John 1:1-14

One of the most celebrated holidays in the world is Christmas. Yet it would seem that most people who do celebrate Christmas do not know what the holiday is really about. These days, everywhere around you see Christmas trees and decorations, but it I s doubtful that people see or understand the meaning attached to these ornaments. As Christians, we need to reflect on what Christmas means to us and what we are practicing. We can always look to the Gospels for answers,

The four gospels all narrate the same story of Jesus’ life, purpose and victory but in different ways and different emphasis such as the Gospel of John. Where The Gospel of Luke shows the historical narrative of Jesus’ birth, the Gospel of John traces Jesus’ origin back to the very beginning of time. John does not do this in a worldly way, but in a heavenly way. Moreover, the Gospel of John emphasizes that Jesus is God who loves us. If there is one thing that John wants to tell us, it is that Jesus is love.

John presents God who was in the beginning as one who comes to us, and therefore for that reason alone, we should have joy. From the Jewish background, John tells us that the Word was before the beginning, and this Word which was God brought forth everything. John invites the readers of John to go back to Genesis to look at the nature of the God who was the beginning. John is telling us that God is not limited by time and space, nor is God limited in power or knowledge.

But John did not just stop there. John wanted to also show the loving Jesus who understood His followers and their sufferings. Keep in mind that the first audience who read the Gospel of John were Christians who were going through difficulties and having their faith challenged. These brothers and sisters needed hope, encouragement and understanding. John shows us Jesus who knew their difficulties and who had experienced life as a man on Earth and not just as God in Heaven.

God is not just all knowing and all powerful. God is in control and has a perfect plan. The Gospel of Matthew talks about how Joseph was told by an Angel from God to go to Nazareth so that the scriptures would be fulfilled. John knew that only a God who was from the beginning and knew everything would be able to do this, and so it is very fitting the John starts his gospel with stating

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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

This is the same God who is in control of our world and lives. This God protected Mary and Joseph during dangerous and turbulent times. God puts events in our lives to help us get to places where God wants us to be. Just as we see in Jesus' life or others in the Bible.

If it were not enough, God gives us grace and mercy although we are undeserving. We are created in the image of God and yet we are terrible, corrupt creatures. Man falls and continues to fall. All the heroes of the Bible fail at some time except for Jesus. Yet Jesus still loved us and sacrificed Himself for us. The same people who fail God are given great mercy and grace. For example, Adam and Eve are clothed by God. Cain is marked so he would not be published by others for murdering Able. Abraham is given a son even though Abraham had lied, cheated and taken on a second wife of which God never approved.

At this time of the year, we need to remember that Christmas is the good message that God makes himself known to us. That Christmas is the time to cheer up because God is with us. God is our personal God. Jesus has come and will come again.