Word of grace and truth
Day 673, Monday, June 15
John Chapter 1
I have always thought a lot about words. When the spoken word was difficult, I took refuge in the written word. For most of my life my living has come from writing, speaking, and, most important, hearing, words. Anyone who knows me knows that I often find humor in words. Words are both my tools and my toys.
Words have molded my faith. Listening to sermons and hymns each week built a foundation and vocabulary for discipleship. Conversations with friends in the faith fanned it into flames. Reading, listening and watching added shape and understanding. Words brought life.
We think of the Bible itself as the greatest assembly of words we have. It is, indeed the gift God gave us to inspire and guide our life. But its words point to a greater Word.
John’s gospel begins majestically: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
These words call to mind the words of the first chapter of Genesis, as God speaks his creation into existence. And the Word John speaks of is Jesus Christ.
In 1:14 we read, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
As humans we use words to describe reality. God uses words to create reality. His word is more than the content of the 66 books we call the Bible. It is God’s creative power; it is grace and truth.
We take the Bible seriously. We consider it the authoritative guide for the Christian life.
John was quick to say that he was important not for himself, but for the truth he witnessed to. Later in John (14:9), Jesus points to his witness to God, saying, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the father.”
The Word gives life. The Word is life. And the Word is to be lived; that is our calling.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Monday meditation
Psalms 143:1-12
Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
Prayer focus
Make us your living word, God, that our very lives might proclaim your grace and truth.