We begin reading the Gospel of John in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan today. This is my favorite Gospel because the very heart of God is revealed here! Look at verses 1-3:
1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was present originally with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.
Jesus IS this Word, the Living Word of God! HE made everything that was made! John 3:16-17 reveal His love for us!
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
Jesus CAME so that we would have a way to the Father! John 1:10-11 are some of the saddest words!
10 He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him]. 11 He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own--His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.
The Jewish people were LOOKING for the Messiah Who was promised to come as their Deliverer, but when He came, few recognized Him! Some believed and were overjoyed! Many were confused because they expected Him to come in glory, defeating every enemy! They didn't realize that he DID defeat every enemy when He gave His life for OUR Salvation! Verse 12 tells us this:
12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name-
Another one of the saddest things are those who claim to know and recognize Him now, but they spend no time in His presence! Those who have received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior have received the Spirit of God to live inside of us! HE is in us as our Teacher, to teach us of JESUS! Look at John 14:26:
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. KJV
