Together in Christ: 'We Have Seen His Glory' — John 1:14, 17-18

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

.  .  .

For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us.

— John 1:14, 17-18 NLT

Key Thought

John makes clear that this "Word" [1] he is writing about is Jesus Christ. [2] John's primary point is that Jesus is the fullest and most complete revelation of Who God is, how God loves, and what God did and continues to do to save us. [3] The Word, Jesus, is God with us. [4] If we want to know God, we look at Jesus. If we want to have an abiding relationship with God, we draw near Jesus. If we want to experience the presence of God in our lives every day, we welcome and obey Jesus.

One way for us to know Jesus is to spend time with Him each day — listen to His words, obey His teaching, and follow His example. I encourage you to join me in reading one chapter each day out of Jesus' story in the four gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — You can use this simple reading guide.) As you read each day, ask the Holy Spirit to help you answer four questions:

  • Jesus, what do you want me to know from Your story today?
  • Master, how do you want me to feel in response to what I learned about You today?
  • Lord, what do You want me to do or obey from Your story and teaching today?
  • Savior, what do I need to share with others from what You have taught me today?

Be patient. Getting to know Jesus in this intimate way takes time. It took His apostles three years to "get Him," and they were around Him all the time. But, I assure you, this pursuit of Jesus is worth your effort. No relationship will be more precious to you than your relationship with Jesus. And in response to your spending time with Jesus, learning to feel about things as He does, and obeying what He calls you to do, He has promised you this:

"Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."
. . .
"All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them." [5]

Jesus longs to be in a genuine relationship with you and to be real to you and present with you. He wants these things even more than you yearn for Him to be in your life. So, let's encourage each other to go deeper in our relationship with Jesus!

[1] The Greek word John uses here is logos, which focuses on the content or meaning of a message more than the words (Greek rhemata) of that message.
[2] John 1:14, 17, 29.
[3] The writer of Hebrews makes a very similar point in Hebrews 1:1-3 as John does in his prologue, John 1:1-18. Jesus is God's most complete and comprehensive message to us because He was God in human flesh.
[4] Matthew 1:23.
[5] John 14:21, 23.

Today's Prayer

Loving and righteous God, I know that You love me because You came to earth in Jesus to save me. So, almighty God, please reveal Yourself to me as I pursue Jesus and seek to know You through Christ, Your Son. As I commit to follow, please help me know You more fully so I can share Your love, mercy, and grace in more powerful ways. I thank You, God, for going to such great lengths and making such great sacrifices to bring me into Your family. Thank You! Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 1:1-3, 2:14-18, 4:14-16
  • Matthew 1:18-25

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Illustration

Illustration of John 1:14, 17-18 NLT — So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. .  .  . For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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