Christmas in July-- Day 8

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. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
John 1:1-18

Questions:
1. What five things is Jesus called in this passage?
2. What four things does He do?
3. What do we receive?

In this passage Jesus is called 1a) the Word. The language here is probably intended to mirror the opening words of Genesis, "In the beginning, God...". This Word is a very particular word, He is 1b) God. He is fully God, but He is not to be confused with the Father. They are two distinct persons who share the same nature. Next we read that He is 1c) life. Because He IS life, He can GIVE life. This fact is highlighted throughout John's gospel. And He is 1d) light. I am a fan of light, so I particularly enjoy the word picture here. Fifth, He is 1e) the Son. In the first verse, John made the distinction between two of the persons of the Godhead, now he introduces them to us as Father and Son. These names tell us something about how God interacts with Himself in the trinity. It kind of makes my head hurt to think about this for long...

As with most introductions, we meet the character(s). However, characters can be pretty boring if they're not doing something! The first "doing" thing in our passage is that Jesus was involved in creation. He 2a) "made all things". Sit and ponder that for a moment. Scientifically, we know more about our world than ever before. We have machines that allow us to dive deeper in the ocean, magnify tiny particles to visibility, and travel the globe in days! When I think about the quantity and diversity and variety in creation, I am amazed! But He wasn't just involved in making all this. Next we see that 2b) "the light shines in the darkness". Think back through the drama of the first three chapters of Genesis. God created the entire universe with His words. He made people to reflect His image on the earth in worship. Then in chapter three, Adam and Eve sinned. They rebelled against the Good God who created them and provided their every need. Darkness fell in their souls. But the Light is not just shining down from heaven. 2c) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God the Son became a man. Again, my brain hurts when I think about this for very long. I think the last action in this passage is my favorite. Jesus 2d) makes the Father known. Because of Christ's work, I can KNOW God! I can KNOW the Holy Creator!

Finally, there are a few things that we receive. First, we receive 3a) the right to become children of God. We are adopted into His family. We have access to God as a Father! What a privilege! And we receive 3b) grace!

grace:  Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. ~Webster's 1828 Dictionary

The last answer here is basically the same as in number two. We receive 3c) knowledge of God because Jesus is making Him known. And really, what is knowing God if not grace? =)