Today's Reading:

John 1:1-3
Psalm 8
Psalm 104

 

 The book of John comes from the New Testament, and is part of the gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John including the book of Acts. The first four books of the New Testament are the accounts of Jesus’s life and His ministry. The 5th book, Acts, (spoiler alert!) is more of a sequel written by Luke of the accounts that happen after Jesus died on the cross. John was one of the 12 apostles that Jesus hand picked to be disciples that were sent out on special missions to spread His teachings. John refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. Despite John’s own flaws this was not a smug, self-righteous name he uses. John claims he is loved by Jesus emphasizing his identity in Christ’s love as a firsthand eyewitness to Jesus’ life and teachings. It is a claim we can all make as Christians, “We love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19.

 
The first three verses in John reiterate what is said in the beginning of Genesis. The book of John was written to the gentiles (non-Jewish people) who believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God, in a way to show them Jesus as God.

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

John is letting the gentiles know that the Word, is Jesus. Reread the paragraph and substitute “the Word” with “Jesus” Jesus was with God from the time of creation, and He is also different from God. This is where the trinity comes into play again. God the Father commanded the creation and everything into existence. God the Son, in human form, is Jesus and was with the Father from the beginning. God the Spirit, is more subtle and approved of the creation and brings the order from chaos by empowering life. Three distinct entities are all working together as one.

There are 150 Psalms (songs and poems) originally written to be sung with stringed instruments. David, one of Israels greatest kings, wrote at least 73 of the psalms. Psalm 104 sings about the Glory of God and His creation from how he is “clothed with splendor and majesty”, he made the land distinct from the sky, and the earth is a beautiful garden of life. In 104:30 God’s Holy Spirit is the source of all life, sustaining the earth and giving life to the natural cycles of life. Again, giving purpose to the trinity.

Psalm 8 is about God’s majestic creation and how He put humans as rulers over all of creation. Jesus quotes verse 2 of this psalm in Matthew 21:16. Growing up in a church where we sang the older hymns, I will always remember the song based on psalm 8, “How Majestic is Your Name”. Today, I will leave you with a few key lyrics from the song:

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth,
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth,
O Lord, we praise Your name,
O Lord, we magnify Your name,
Prince of Peace, mighty God,
O Lord God Almighty."

Today's discussion question: 
Try rereading John 1:1–3 with “Jesus” in place of “the Word,” as I suggested. How does this simple substitution deepen your understanding of who Jesus is and His role in creation? Did any part of it especially stand out or feel new to you?

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