MUSINGS ON THE BOOK
of John
written by connie hecker
God Cloaked in Humanity John 1: 1-5 Who is He? The Word is one title. God and with God from the start. Not a spin off, not a portion, but the face of God Himself, the face that I, in my mortality, cannot look at and comprehend. Jesus is so much more than I can encompass in my limited state of being. John tells me in the last sentences of this book that it would not be possible to write about everything Jesus did in those three years when John walked life with Him. Yet in those years, John got to know the heart of God. The same God who encompasses such holiness and perfection that the direct site of Him would cause a human to die. God Himself is so pure that no one can stand in His presence. But God loves me so much that He wants this fellowship with me, with us. God dresses Himself in humanity. He puts on the clothing, the costume of sinful life. Like the actor, He is not the character, but is taking on the role. Dressed in human form, the creator Himself has shown me how to live as a human. Jesus is my director and He has lived the part. He has shown me how to do it. Now I can wear the costume He has designed for me, my body, and I can live the role in the life He has placed me. Life with God is ultimate theatre. I must live the role. He is the designer and director of my life and the entire story.
LORD, LET ME STAY IN CHARACTER ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, FOLLOWING YOUR DIRECTING.
Goal or Process John 1: 6-28 There was quite a ruckus happening north of Jerusalem, the center of Jewish culture and the heartbeat of the nation. Rumors of another possible messiah sighting had come to official ears and this had to be investigated. Someone was baptizing in the Jordan River. So, a group familiar with the law and from the party of the Pharisees (the resurrection party) was sent to find out. They observed John, the one who was baptizing, and asked him what he was doing. They learned that it was not yet the Messiah, but He was expected soon. John did not see himself as the harbinger they were expecting but rather, as Isaiah had said, he was a voice calling them to attention. And now that attention had been drawn from Jerusalem - the very next day, Jesus was revealed. Isaiah 40:3 speaks of the return in power and might, so expectations were politically focused. The first part of the Messiah’s job was not understood. How much of my own expectations of the work of God in my life are about the powerful end rather than the painful process? My daily walk is the place I most need the transforming power and love of Jesus. Am I too focused on His magnificent return that I am missing His presence in the midst of the crowd of my daily life? Today, let me remember that Jesus walks with me. In Him, I too walk for His purpose as His body of flesh to be hands, feet, ears that listen, and a mouth that speak to bring honor to Him. Do I live that way? Am I speaking His words and ministering His love in my life? Do I, like John, recognize how unworthy I am to touch His feet? To untie His shoes?
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