God With Us
Read John 1:14. What is the amazing implications of that text? What does it tell us about the character of God?
Think about the size and complexity of the universe as you contemplate your answer.
In the 1700s and the 1800s, an idea arose, an outgrowth of the scientific revolution, called deism. Though it taught that God created us, this God—far from being involved in our everyday lives—has left us on our own, basically to fend for ourselves. According to this view, the world was like a clock that God wound up and then left. God created His natural laws, and we here have to live within those laws the best we can. It is like a parent who raises a child until that child is 18, and then says, "OK, Sonny, you're on your own. I'll never see you again. Good luck."
But that god is not the God of the Bible, that is not Jesus Christ, who became one of us, who lived among us, who took upon Himself our humanity and in that humanity died for our sins, the God depicted in John 1:14.
The Greek word translated "dwelt," skenoo, in John 1:14 means to "pitch one's tent" or "live in a tent." When Jesus came to this world, He did not live at a distance from the people to whom He ministered. He "pitched His tent" among them, living and working among them-relating to them at their level.
Matthew quotes Isaiah's prophecy about a virgin giving birth to a son named Immanuel and directly applies it to Jesus. He even translates the meaning of Immanuel-"God with us" (Matt. 1:23).
Besides coming to die as a substitute for us, Jesus came to earth to show us exactly what God is like. On one occasion Philip asked Jesus, " 'Show us the Father.' " How did Jesus respond to Phillip's request (John 14:8-11)? What does Jesus' answer tell us about what God is like? What aspects of that character come through very clearly? Are there some that you find disturbing? If so, what are they? Bring your concerns, if any, to class.
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