Francis Junius, a 15th century theologian, once gave an account of his first reading of John chapter 1. He said “he observed such a divinity in the argument, such an authority and majesty in the style, that his flesh trembled, and he was struck with such amazement that for a whole day he scarcely knew where he was or what he did. (Matthew Henry).
This is often the effect of Gospel of John. It is the gospel that presents Christ as the living Word and the great I Am. And it carries with it a certain powerful majesty. That is why it often has such a powerful effect on the reader.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
That’s why one of our special Christmas traditions is watching The Gospel of John movie. Every word in this dramatized version comes directly from the Good News Bible. It’s like seeing the entire Gospel in action. And it penetrates even the deepest recesses of our hearts.
The greatest miracle
The Incarnation is the greatest and most amazing miracle of all. The most improbable and seemingly impossible. Not because becoming human was too difficult for Christ to come to earth and become a man. Nothing could ever be too difficult for the Almighty Creator of the universe.
Of God’s choosing
But because the incarnation was God’s choice. He chose to send his Son out of his love for humanity and his desire to change the course of humanity for eternity. The King of the whole universe stooped down to become Emmanuel, God with us.
This is astounding. So overwhelming that we too should feel amazed, like Francis Junius. We sometimes overlook the vast tremendous meaning these words: “The Word became flesh, and lived among us.” We need to see his glory again. To let those words leave us in awe.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
The gospel of John, with its rich discourses, focuses on the identity and mission of Christ, emphasizing His glory. A glory that undoubtedly gripped John as he wrote these words, and later enabled him to endure persecution and exile on the island of Patmos.
And that is why the Gospel of John has touched so many hearts throughout the centuries. And why it continues to do so today.
Pivotal to our faith
The incarnation of Christ is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. All of Christian theology rests on it. Without it, we would have neither His death on the cross nor His resurrection. There would be no salvation.
But Christ, the Creator of the universe, the all-knowing, all-powerful God chose to come. That we might know Him and His saving grace. The Messiah King and Servant Son, came in the flesh. He became the Savior of the world, while never ceasing to be the “Great I Am.” It is truly breathtaking.
A Christmas prayer
My prayer this Christmas is: May we all keep in mind the awesomeness of Christ’s coming.
That we would not be caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and activities, no matter how good they may be. That we would not be transfixed by trees and decorations that will be packed away to gather dust the rest of the year. But be so awed by the glory and majesty of the wonder of Emmanuel miracle that everything will seem small in comparison.
May we be so awestruck by the glory and majesty of the miracle of Emmanuel God with us, that all else grows dim.
Signora Sheila
Reflecting on the glory of God can help us realize how small we are and how much we need him. Only by becoming small can we fully comprehend his greatness and majesty. Let us rejoice that the light of the world has come and that the darkness will never be able to extinguish it!
Watch the movie trailer below. I’m sure you won’t regret it. I recommend that you buy it and watch it over and over again!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 5:1-5
đź“· Image credits: dove in flight; bible; essential; woman praising.