In the beginning was the one who is called the Word.
The Word was with God and was truly God.
2 From the very beginning the Word was with God.
3 And with this Word, God created all things.
Nothing was made without the Word.
Everything that was created 4 received its life from him,
and his life gave light to everyone.
5 The light keeps shining in the dark,
and darkness has never put it out. John 1:1-5 (CEV)
These first five verses of John’s gospel is the beginning of, what to me is, the “beautiful gospel.” John sees and writes about the Christ, the Messiah. As I read through the gospel I feel the majesty and sovereignty of Jesus.
Jesus answered, “The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won’t be caught walking blindly in the dark. 36 Have faith in the light while it is with you, and you will be children of the light.” John 12:35-36 (CEV)
“Walk in the light while you can.” It’s always been an interesting phenomena to me that a child’s fever always spikes in the middle of the night, not at 2 p.m. when a physician is in his office. If there is something that concerns me, worry will increase at 2 a.m. and keep me awake.
Whether it is my email Inbox, Facebook, an online news site or something as old-fashioned as a telephone, there are so many needs, tragedies and pain in the Body of Christ. Life-threatening illnesses, marital discord with children broken in collateral damage, and more and more divisiveness, not just in in the political arena but in church fellowships.
People are looking for a place of refuge. They are looking for support and principles they can grab on to, understand and find stability. What are Jesus’ ambassadors doing?
Jesus completed His first mission and returned to the Father. He taught His disciples and they were obedient to His command to “go and make disciples.” And 2000 years later we are still doing that. Aren’t we?
It’s the beginning of a new week. It’s the beginning of a new month. It’s summer. Church attendance declines. Most people when they take their vacations do not “bother” to include Sabbath worship with their accommodation plans. While the youth and children have church activities (it is free baby-sitting after all!), the adults “suspend” their activities until after Labor Day. When will we realize how important our relationship with Jesus is? Are we counting on having some notification from God that will give us a last minute opportunity to “make everything right”?
Our LORD has such a great love for us, His children. Do we understand? The LORD, the Creator of all is our Father. He is the perfect parent, loving us before we loved Him and faithful even when we forget Him. Let us spend time this summer with our Father. Let us stay near the Light so that we do not stumble. And let us allow the Light in us to shine before a world which is desperate for a True Light.
Majesty and Glory written by Tom Fettke
