John 1:1 – 5, 10 – 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
I love this passage. I love that John felt compelled to start his gospel with it. So many times, we think of Jesus as having a humble beginning, in a bed of hay, in a stable in Bethlehem. But that’s not where Jesus began, my friends. That’s not even close!
When God spoke the world into existence, Jesus was there. When God separated light from darkness, and earth from water, Jesus was right there. God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness . . .” Who do you think He was talking to? Jesus!
You see, my friends, from the beginning, Jesus was. He still is. And He always will be. Yes, for a short time, He came and lived among us – we will talk about that time in the coming weeks. But Jesus is not limited by his time here on earth. He was here before the world began, and for all of eternity, He will remain.
To limit Him to His human form is to deny His deity. When we pray to Jesus, we often picture Him as a man, and that is perfectly fine. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons He became a man is so that we could identify with Him, and He with us. But He is God.
He is the almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, compassionate, gracious, forgiving, loving God. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
He joins us for coffee today. And He lives in my heart.
And I am in awe.
Dear Father, Thank You.
Amen
For a second cup, see: 1 John 1:2, Genesis 1:26, Colossians 1:16, John 5:26, John 3:19, 1 John 2:8, 1 Peter 1:23, Galatians 4:4, 1 Timothy 3:16
Renae, I popped in and happened to notice that you have included a link to my blog on your site! Thank you so much! I had already been thinking about doing the same for you on my site and have just not gotten around to it yet. I usually check in at your Coffee Talk site but may have to come back here from time to time now, too — the series about Jesus sounds like it will be wonderful!
Blessings,
Cheryl
Oh, Renae!!!!!!!!me too, me too, me too! Two loves at one time. I love Jesus and I love John!
Hi Cheryl! So glad you stopped in. I hope you’ll join us for Morning Coffee often! 🙂
And Mom, I’m glad you’re so excited! This is going to be a great study, don’t you think?
Wonderful beginning, Renae! (Thanks for the 2nd cup!) I’m looking forward to this series, too!
Thanks, Jeanette! Glad you liked the refill! 🙂
Thanks, Renae. I love the book of John, too. I’m excited you’ll be giving us a guided tour over the weeks to come. Blessings, dear Sister.
Jean
http://www.jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com
Hi Jean! I’ll try to be a worthy “tour guide”! 😉
–r
Renae, I love the book of John, its the book I always recommend for new Christians to read. One of my favorite names for Jesus is life changer. I don’t think you can read the book of John and not be changed. Thank you. I love you sweet lady.
Lesa
Thank you, Lesa! Yes, John is one of my favorites, too. In the coming weeks, we’re going to look at snapshots of Jesus from each of the four gospels, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be mostly in John. I love his accounts.
I also love looking at the changes in John from the time he wrote this gospel, to the time he wrote the three letters, to the time he wrote Revelation. But, that’s another study, another day! 🙂
Great to see you, my dear friend!
Sorry I’m late! I like it already! I’m feeling a bit outnumbered here, so I’m giving you a verse of a very old Catholic hymn. (Just to keep the Papal flag flying, you understand)!
Sweet heart of Jesus, fount of love and mercy,
Today we come, Thy blessings to implore.
Oh touch our hearts, so cold and so ungrateful,
And make them Lord, Thine own for evermore.
Like it?
That is beautiful, Jackie! We Protestants may have to borrow that sometime! I love it. 🙂
Yea for Morning Coffee from the gospels!
And love the 2nd cup addition for those who want to explore further.
See also from previous post that you are paring down to 2 or 3 days a week for a bit – good for you. A well deserved rest.
Plan to return more often now that I am winding down from my own vacation from the “net.”
Love,
Jlo
Oh my goodness! Judi? Is it really you? My long lost internet friend????
😉
So glad to see you back. We have missed you here at Morning Coffee. Glad to hear you are re-emerging from your holiday.
By the way, Judi, go and sit by Jackie, please. You two can wave your Papal flags together.
But you’d better not be whispering and cutting up, or I will have to split you up! I will seat you each between a couple of pristine protestants before you can say lickety-split!
(Whispering) Hey Judi….bet she doesn’t even know what colour a Papal flag is…..shh…..she’s coming…..
Jean, would you move to the side please? Jackie, that’s right. Sit right there between Jean and Jeanette. And hand me that flag, please. I’ll put it right here on my desk. You may pick it up after class.
Next time you’ll be sent to the principal’s office.
Judi, you’re next, so you’d better behave yourself.
No, Mom, I’m not going to seat Jackie next to you. I’ll never be able to control the two of you together!
Dear Renae,
you’re back!!!
So happy to see you a lot sooner that you announced.
Bringing Jesus with you.
And the apostle of love, John.
I’m looking forwards to this, even though the next fortnight will be to busy to be on the internet a lot. Serina is leaving for college, and my German friend from 1970 nursery school will be visiting.
We haven’t be talking face to face for a good many years. For a week now, I shall have to speak German all day.
I am so looking forwards to it. Please pray that I am not getting stressed or tired. Than I am no good company to anyone.
Yours Felisol
Hi Felisol!
Ich hoffe, dass Sie Spaß mit Ihrem Freund haben! Wir verfehlen Sie. Bitte zurückgekommen, sobald Sie können!
(I hope that’s correct! I used one of those online translation services!)
For the rest of you, what I said was: “I hope you have fun with your friend! We will miss you. I hope you’ll come back as soon as possible!”
Will be praying for both you and Serina.
Thank God you have a sense of humour with us Catholics! God loves you (and so do I). So sorry I’ve been away so long. Just catching up today!!!!! Blessings, Sarah
Hi Sarah! I’ll let you sit by Judi if you promise to behave yourself. 😉
Jackie, you stay right where I put you.
FYI – I love you guys!