• 

Day Four of Advent

Scripture

“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. In Him was life, and the Life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

— John 1:1-5

Devotional

The apostle John incorporates this dual understanding of God’s Word into his portrayal of Jesus. On the one hand, Jesus is the living extension of God Himself, “The Word was God.” On the other, Jesus is distinct from God, having a life of His own, “The Word was with God.” Echoing Genesis 1, John tells us twice that the Word was “in the beginning” as the present and active agent of God in the creation of the world. He goes on to explain that the Word was both the life and light of the original creation.

But now something new is happening. The same light that pierced the darkness of the old creation is bringing to light a new creation. Just as the darkness did not prevail in the beginning, likewise, it will not prevail now. God’s creative Word is active again to bring light and life, but not in the way most people would have expected. It is neither the Jewish Torah as understood by the Pharisees, nor the hidden principle of rationality as understood by the pagan philosophers. It is the living embodiment of God’s authoritative Word, his life-giving Torah, His creative Wisdom in the person of Jesus. And He will make all things new.

Prayer

Lord of glory, shine the light of your countenance upon the world to make all things new in and through Jesus, your incarnate Word. Amen.