God's Word Becomes The Living Saviour
A Christmas Message from the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Harry Uprichard.
Shepherds, wise men, angels, Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus the stuff of which nativity plays are made is how Matthew and Luke write their gospels and tell their story. John's approach is very different; he explains the facts, explores the meaning, -exposes the purpose of Jesus' birth.
John uses the term Word to describe all this. The eternal Word, the Son of God, is with the Father from the beginning and through Him all things were created. He is the Creator, the living Word, the Son of God, the one, who if we by faith receive Him into our lives makes us children of God. We are born of God, saved from sin and become Christians. He is Saviour, the link between the Word who is both Creator and Saviour, the incarnate Word, the Son of God. John explains it like this, And the Word became 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. (John 1:12).
This is the meaning of the birth of Jesus. The eternal Word who is Creator becomes the incarnate Word to save us from sin and make us children of God. Hence, he is the living Word who is Saviour.
Charles Wesley puts it well in his carol:
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
The intriguing thing is that John uses the term Word. Behind it is the idea of communicating, publishing, making known. The living Word, Jesus, is made known through the written Word, scripture. All the details arise from this source. Whether it's Christmas or Easter, it's all about Jesus and it's all from scripture: God's Word living or written is truth.
Harry Uprichard
Moderator.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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