Do you ever pay attention to how a book begins? What is the opening statement? Paying attention to how the story begins can be very insightful.
Listen to how the Gospel of John begins: “Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was there with God. The Word was God (John 1:1 ERV).”
The beginning of the Gospel of John is an interesting way to start a story, but it is also very insightful. John is saying that God’s message existed before anything else, as we know it, existed. We know it is true because God’s message is Jesus!
When God wanted human beings to know more about him, when he wanted to show them how he loved and forgave them, when he wanted to give them the good news about salvation, he sent Jesus into our world. Jesus is the good news. Jesus is the message of God to us. This message was with God before the world began. He is by nature God, Immanuel, God with us. Jesus is God who came to us, in human flesh and blood.
John’s book, including this insightful beginning, takes us on a wonderful journey, revealing to us the message of God coming to us in the flesh. Jesus reveals God to us through his words and actions. His message is love, salvation, and grace.
Friend, God’s message has never changed. It always has been and it always will be. It is a message that we can understand. It is a message that we can see in action. God’s eternal message to you is this: He loves you. He sent Jesus to reveal his love to you. Thank God for his message of love, salvation, and grace. Thank God for Jesus.
Know that you are loved,
