Hands-On

John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Much is made of this very famous text theologically speaking. It is hard to imagine our Bibles without this verse. Of course, one of the great certainties we have of Divine Authorship of the Word is its Completeness. There is nothing the Bible lacks, and there is no area that says more than needs to be said. In a word, The Word is perfect.

How many books authored by the hand and mind of man can make that statement?

The text of John 1 is foundational in so many ways, especially establishing the eternality of Christ. John makes every effort to have us completely understand the true nature and character of Christ – and therefore of God.

But beyond understanding, there is something even more here for us: John1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

When I received Christ it was on this point: He dwelt among us. For me personally, it was not God’s awesome wonder that drew me to Him, it was His personality. His personable-ness. His personal appearance. His dwelling among us.

I can remember the very first time it struck me God had walked the earth, and it gave me chills and fear and awe to consider the possibility of having been in His literal presence. It still has that affect on me today. My heart goes to its knees before the personally-appearing love of Christ.

Gospel-author John himself gets at this point later on in his first epistle. 1 John1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

I focus on verse 1 of 1 John 1. John says they have “handled Christ with their hands.” This is not an impersonal God. Can you imagine?

- Pastor Bill