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. (John 1:1-17)
OBSERVATION
God's plan of redemption is a "through way."
- All things were made through the Word (Jesus), v. 3.
- John came as a witness so all might believe through him, v. 7.
- The law was given through Moses, v. 17.
- Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, v. 17.
Throughout history God works both directly and indirectly in our world. He works indirectly, through people, to bring about his redemptive end. Jesus, John, and Moses are the agents through which something is brought about...grace, truth, and light.
APPLICATION
What is God trying to do through me? I cannot be involved in the creative act, like the Word, but I can like John, point people to the light of Christ. I can, like Jesus, be an agent of grace and truth to the world. Jesus came into the world, he brought grace and truth, I receive that grace and truth, and I pass it on to others. The great thing is that God works through people to accomplish his purposes. Since I'm a "people" he can work through me. I can re-present Jesus to others. However, the question I need to answer is: Am I a throughway or a dead end?.
PRAYER
God, sometimes I think that you only work through the "biggies", the prophets, apostles, and of course your Son but you desire and will work through me. Show me how to be a way for your work to be accomplished through me in the world.
