In the Beginning
John 1:1-2, 14 (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
In the beginning.
When the heaven and earth were created, God already was. When God placed man on the earth, God already was. When Jesus, the Promised One, was born in a manger, He simply took on another form. He already was.
To say He “simply” took on another form seems to be an over-simplification, does it not? How could God do that? The entire doctrine of the Virgin Birth, of God taking on flesh, yet without the sin nature, is a difficult concept for our human minds to grasp.
Understanding the “how” of this manifestation of “God with us” is not required. Understanding the “why” is more important.
Why would God stoop to walk among sinful men? In the beginning, God said, “Let us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26) God established the habit of walking with Adam while showing him around the garden. God pointed out all the lush vegetation for Adam to eat. Only one fruit was off limits.
God also brought to Adam all the animals and encouraged Adam to name them. Can you imagine that? I wonder if he simply named the “kind” such as lion, bear, duck; or did he give them familiar names such we give our pets. That is, perhaps, a thought for a different day.
A dog is said to be “man’s best friend,” but God was not content to leave Adam alone with all these animals. Just as God wanted the companionship of Adam, so Adam needed someone like himself with whom he could fellowship and enjoy this perfect environment.
Then God permitted Adam and Eve to be put to the test. The serpent questioned God’s Word. The serpent questioned God’s motives. The serpent dangled the desirable fruit in front of Eve’s eyes and fueled her desire to eat that which was off limits. Wow! That was tasty! She hurried to share the delectable delicacy with Adam.
Then, “they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” and ”Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord.” (Genesis 3:8).
What happened to the wonderful fellowship they had enjoyed with God, their Creator? Disobedience. Guilt. Separation. The “knowledge of good and evil” had suddenly entered their hearts and minds. Just as God had said.
God’s Word is true. In fact, we learn in John 17:17, “Thy Word is truth.”
Again, in Titus 1:2, Paul wrote, “in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
Again, in Hebrews 6:18, the author wrote, “that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie…”
Fellowship was broken. Man was broken. God’s heart was broken. And so, He immediately set about to provide reconciliation. Of course, none of this was a surprise to God. Can you imagine? When God created Adam, He already knew that Adam would sin, that the earth would be cursed, that a Savior would be needed.
After approximately 4,000 years of man’s sin and rebellion, God’s patience and longsuffering, correction and judgment, God intervened. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
Incredible! God promised this Redeemer in Genesis 3:15. He used object lessons throughout history (Isaac, tabernacle sacrifices). He sent repeated warnings by His prophets. He lovingly forgave all who would repent and return to a life of obedience.
Finally, in God’s own time, in His own way, God sent His only Son…
THE WORD,
WHO WAS WITH GOD in the beginning,
WHO WAS GOD the very essence and expression of God,
WHO TOOK ON FLESH without sin,
WHO DWELT AMONG US so He could understand our struggles,
WHO BECAME SIN FOR US so we could, through Him, become righteous,
Do you need a new beginning? Do you need to take a fresh look at the Word? God’s written Word reveals all you need to know about THE WORD, the Son of God, the Savior, Redeemer, Mediator.
Again, when the time is right, God will send the Son back a second time to claim His chosen Bride (all who have put their faith in His redeeming work on Calvary). Are you ready?
