Friday Evening Devotionals

Tom Barnard

 

“In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.

He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing

exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to

everyone. The light shines through the darkness,

and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

(John 1:1-5 NLT)

 

“The center of our faith, Jesus Christ, is the Word become flesh, not the Word become idea.

Had it been the Word become idea, it would have been a philosophy, a moralism. In

that case it would have taken its place among the great philosophies of the world—

higher, but among. But the Christian faith is not a philosophy, but a fact—the

fact of Christ. In him all the ideas have taken shoes and walked.”

(E. Stanley Jones, A Song of Ascents, p. 160)

 

Jesus Christ is the Word, not an idea! Not a concept! Not a philosophy! Not one among many! He existed before anything else, except the Father. Stanley Jones called him the “center of our faith.” That means that at the center of our faith is not a doctrine or a creed. At the center of our belief system is a person, and that person has a name. And his Name is Jesus. The Living Word! Breathe deeply. Exhale. It’s okay. Take a minute to think about this. No one that has ever lived has been like him. He is One. There is no Two.

 

I return to the first chapter of John regularly. It helps me put into perspective everything else that is going on in my life. And the world. And Washington. Even Haiti. Christ created everything there is. He is not a victim. He is Victor. Celebrate that!

 

Lord Christ. Just saying those words is breathtaking! You are the Word made flesh! And that means you are greater than anything and anyone that ever existed. Greater than any words spoken. You are the architect of the Universe. I am amazed that you allow me to speak your name. Even more amazing is that you love me. Beyond amazing is the fact that you came to this world to die for me, and for all who trust in you. How can I say Thanks? There are no words spectacular enough. So I will do the next best thing. I will worship you. Amen.