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                                   The Gospel, in a Word

           Throughout my short life of fifty-seven years, I have pondered and sought the answer to two questions.  Why has God gone to such extremes to love and save us?  Secondly, why does humanity seem bent on rejecting that love and rushing head-long toward destruction?   It is the Gospel of John, which many call the most Spirit filled book of the Bible, that comes closest to the answers, for me.  John, Chapter One, describes this juxtaposed condition [my questions] as one being present since creation.  John says it is about Life and Light and how darkness caused humanity to “not recognize” or receive “the light” when it came to them [Jn. 1: 3-11].  The Love of God and the Faith of men are what is required to correct the situation.   
          Did you know stained glass windows, in Churches, often depict the Gospel of John as an eagle?  An eagle can look straight into the sun without blinking.  The fourth Gospel lets us look deep into the heart of Jesus.  At first glance, the Gospel seems to address the nonbeliever, with a wide cross-cultural message, using terminology that both the Jew and Gentile can understand.  John, in the Gospel’s introduction, describes Christ “as the Word of God” [Jn. 1:1] which for the Jew means God’s active involvement in the world and for the Gentile represents the “divine mind”. 
          When looking closer, the reader can see that John is addressing believers, too.  He knows that carrying out the Great Commission depends on a Church with strong conviction.   In his Gospel, John clarifies the Church’s vision, matures its faith and corrects false doctrine that would threaten to weaken or destroy it.  The key to the opening passage is, understanding the use of the term “word”.   John chooses the “word” to describe God’s way of revealing Himself and His will, in the person of Jesus.   The Gospel is both Jesus, and the “Good News” about Jesus.  Jesus is the in-flesh revelation of God [Emmanuel] and the Message from the Father rolled into one [God Loves You, He and His Kingdom are near, choose to be part of them].
          John wants us to know that Jesus is not only the only Son of God, but He is also the one and only way to God.  “No one,” Jesus says, “comes to the Father except through me.” [14:6]
          Jesus, and John, want everyone to know Him and be saved [Jn. 3:16].  Let us make 2012 a year focused on believing, following and proclaiming God’s message at every opportunity.

                                                                        Happy New Year … Bro. Earl