The Word, Creating Still
John 1:1-14
Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
I wonder if you notice that twice
our text talks about the fact that the Word, which was God and was with God
from the very beginning, created all things. Our Gospel declares, “All things were
made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
And again, “He was in the
world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.”
I suppose, if you want to get
technical, it is mentioned three times – twice in the first sentence.
Of course, we need to
consider what is this “Word” being talked about? It is Word of God which took
on human flesh in the womb of Mary. Our Gospel lesson says it this way. And
the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as
of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn. 1:14) The 2nd person of the Trinity is
the “Word of God.” So, the 2nd person of the Trinity takes on human
flesh. That is who Jesus is, God’s Christ.
What an amazing thing that
the Child whose birth we celebrate this day, the Child asleep on the hay,
resting quietly in the manger, is that Word which brought into existence all of
creation from nothing. Do you comprehend that? He who spoke all things into
existence took on human flesh as all other children do – but without a human
father – and did so in Mary’s womb.
But have you ever pondered what
an amazing creation He gave us?
I know some here are tired of
the snow and the cold, and to be honest, I wouldn’t mind if the snow never fall
on the driveways, sidewalks, and streets again. But huge flakes of snow slowly
drifting to earth on a moonlit night is indeed beautiful. Trees coated with a
new snowfall appear so fresh and clean. There is a brightness to the scene.
Creation is amazing. Consider
only the newborn baby’s perfectly formed fingers, each with fingerprints that
are unique over against every single other human being. You can hear the fetal
heartbeat in the womb at six weeks. Ponder all the things about your own body. Have
you ever considered the simple use of your eyes? Your eyes are automatic,
self-focusing video cameras – and they record events, storing them in the hard
drive of your memory.
True, there are some of us
who either have full hard drives with no more storage, or the files are
corrupted. Guess what sinfulness perverts perfection!
But there are also those who
foolishly believe that these complex mechanisms in our bodies evolved from
primordial muck? But that is nothing more than was stated in our text, “He was in the
world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.”
Today, you gathered to
celebrate Christmas. You came to celebrate the birth of your Savior. You are
here to rejoice that the very Word which gave you life, took on human flesh to
redeem you sinfully impure flesh from eternal death. You are here to sing out
glad tidings of great joy which are for all people.
And why are you here? Because
you believe that Jesus, the Babe born to Mary in Bethlehem is that Word
become flesh.
How is it that you came to
believe this about Jesus? How come you have faith, trusting that this same
Child was the One who created and still creates all, that without Him
nothing was made that was made?
You
believe, you have faith which trusts this Word, for faith is also a created
thing – a gift of God – begun where that Word of God is creating faith.
A gift you say? Yes, most
definitely! Look how many of the people of Israel turned their back on God,
denying that Jesus was the One long promised.
Today, the prophecies are
even still ignored. It is like Judaism looks at the Old Testament with blinders
on. Consider also how many today claim to be His own, even claiming the name
Christian, but their Christianity is only a sometime thing, if that. And too
often their Christianity is not faith in Christ at all, but a self-indulgent
pointing at themselves, claiming how good they are compared to the rest of the
world. Or, a belief that God is love and loves them not matter what they do
Those who are true believers,
are so because the Word still creates. Our text says it this way, But as many as
received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who
believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
Your faith is not something
you did, you were born again – not because of the desire of your flesh or any
willful choice you made. You are born again of the will of God.
The Word is constantly
creating. We know that it is still at work bringing the things that are, into
the world.
It is one thing to believe
that a supreme being ... created all that exists. In fact, all the evidence
points to the fact that things did not just come into being as they are, that
is impossible. The scientific evidence, when allowed to be seen without
preconceived notions, proves the truths of Scriptural creation, not an old
earth and evolution.
Even harder to believe than that
God created all that exists, is to trust that God would take on flesh.
God made everything? OK!
God became one of us, in our
flesh, and did it by going through the whole birth process? Seriously? Ummm…
You heard the angel last
night, “Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ
the Lord.”
God humbles Himself to be
born of a Virgin. Born in our flesh to fulfill all that God requires of us.
Born to offer His perfect flesh as the sacrifice for our sins.
You and I believe this, for
the Word is still creating. The Word, Jesus Christ, is creating faith. It was
by the Word and will of God that you became a child of God. It is the Word
which creates in baptism - making children of God of the disobedient sons of
men.
It is the Word which creates
when it is spoken, bestowing forgiveness and faith in those who hear.
It is the Word which creates
still. For when the Word of Christ is spoken, simple bread is the very body of
Christ. When the Word of Christ is spoken, simple wine is the very blood which
He spilled.
That very Word of God which
created at the very beginning is the Word made flesh who is still creating in
you to live and believe in Him. Yes, the Babe of Bethlehem is your God. The
Word became your infant King to save you from sin and death – for unto you is
born this day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Amen.
Comments