John 1:1-3, 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 1:14, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us . . .
“The Incarnation is a fact of such proportions as to transcend human imagination . . . If the original creation of the universe out of nothing is an immeasurably vast and incomprehensible act of Almighty God, the Incarnation is surely no less stupendous . . . Its purpose is the redemption of the human race.”
– J. Rodman Williams
- While God can be known in part through nature and history, He is known in full through His Son, Jesus.
Hebrews 1:3, The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word . . .
Without Jesus, all we have is:
- Uncertainty
- Fear/Doubt
- Despair/Hopelessness
John 1:4, In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
- Jesus is more than a story, He’s our source of LIFE.
John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
How Does Jesus Bring Us Life?
1) Jesus gives HOPE.
- We are not abandoned or alone.
John 1:5, 9, 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
2) Hope establishes PEACE.
- We are in right standing with God.
John 1:11-12, 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
3) Peace produces JOY.
- We are filled with passion and purpose.
John 1:14, 18, 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
The Big Answer
- Jesus gave us HOPE, which established PEACE, which produced JOY and therein we find fullness of LIFE!
John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- The promise of hope is not a fairytale . . . it is possible, it is His plan, and it is why Jesus came.
Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.