Today's Christmas Devotion
December 17, 2024
Bible Reading: John 1:1-14 & 2 Corinthians 1:18-20
Introducing Jesus as “the Word” spoke volumes to the Jews of John’s day. The Jews believed that words were alive. Once spoken, they went forth to accomplish the purpose for which they were spoken. Thus, spoken words could not be recalled.
This explains why the Hebrew vocabulary was relatively small and why the Jewish people tended to be persnickety about what they said. It also explains why Isaac did not recall his blessing of Jacob and confer it on Esau after discovering that he had been tricked into giving Esau’s blessing to Jacob (Genesis 27:1-40).
By introducing Jesus as “the Word,” John presented Christ to the Jews as everything that God had ever said come alive. As the apostle poignantly puts it in John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt [lived] among us.” Jesus Christ is the living Word of God!
As the living Word of God, Jesus Christ came into the world to carryout everything that God had ever spoken. This is why Jesus, at His baptism, had to tell the reluctant John the Baptist, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15 NIV). It also explains why Jesus taught that He had not “come to destroy the law, or the prophets…but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).
According to Revelation 19:13, when Christ comes again He will be called “The Word of God.” Whereas He came the first time to carryout everything that God had ever said, He will come the second time to complete it. In the mean time, He can come into your life and fulfill for you every promise that God has ever made. As Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 1:18-20, all of the promises of God can be yours in Christ. All you have to do is say “Amen” to Christ and He will bring God’s promises to pass in your life for “the glory of God.”
“How can I know this is true,” you may ask. You can know it because God has given you His “Word” on it! Why not take God at His Word and begin to experience and enjoy His promises today?
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take Him at His word;
just to rest upon His promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more! (Louisa M. R. Stead)