God’s answer to our sorrows and difficulties in life is Jesus. Scripture passages are from the Berean Standard Bible available online at https://biblehub.com/bsb I created all images using Night Cafe Studio and Canva Pro for your enjoyment.
The apostle John opens his gospel with this wonderful truth. John proclaims 1:14-18:
14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ”
16From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
May the Light of His presence chase away the fog of sorrow!
Jesus is God who became human
Jesus came from heaven to earth in the form of a human baby. He was helpless and needy as any human baby. He was born into Joseph and Mary’s family needing the care, protection, and nourishment any child needs to survive and thrive. God sent His Son into a working class family. God is God the Father, Jesus is the Son of God in human form since His birth, Holy Spirit is Spirit. All Three Members of the Trinity are God and individuals in existence/perfect unity. They all work together in unison and in creation.
The Greek word for dwelling is skénoó which refers to a “tent and to dwell.” John also uses this word in Revelation in reference to God’s dwelling with humanity (Chapter 21 verse 3). References available:
https://biblehub.com/greek/4637.htm
The idea is that God comes to us in our journey. The concept of a tent relates to the nomadic nature of God’s people. The tabernacle was where God came to meet Moses and Aaron. Why wasn’t Jesus born in the Temple in Jerusalem? God had other plans!
Jesus came to show us the way to Eternal Life and Peace with Heavenly Father!
Jesus is Grace and Truth–He brought both!
Notice how Jesus came to us: full of grace and truth. John specifically repeats himself in verses 14,16, and 17. Moses brought the law and Jesus later brings the grace. This is critical to understanding Jesus. The law reveals the sinful and corrupt nature of humans. Jesus is God’s answer to our need for a savior. Recall that Jesus fulfills the law and all the prophecies. Jesus is Truth and this is vital. We need both grace and truth to be reconciled to God.
Who is Jesus according to John chapter 1? Jesus is the Word (Logos). Logos is the Greek concept of divine reason/idea that relates to the mind of God. Got questions summarizes this truth:
https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-Logos.html
Jesus was present with God, and Holy Spirit in Genesis 1. He was in His pre-incarnate state according to verses 1-2. Paul explains this in Colossians 1:15-20. I will write on this passage in a future article.
Jesus is the Light of Heaven! John 1:4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus came to make God known to us
Jesus reflects God’s glory and brought the Good News of the Gospel to life. Many passages in Paul’s letters and Hebrews explain how that Jesus came to redeem us. The older covenant concerning animal sacrifices, the Aaronic priesthood, Temple, and prophecies become a New Covenant. Got questions explains the Old Covenant vrs New Covenant for you:
https://www.gotquestions.org/old-covenant-vs-new-covenant.html
The book of Hebrews explains this concept of how Jesus is High Priest and fulfills God’s requirement for a Perfect, Sacrifice.
Jesus brings us the grace of God! His grace and mercy shine the way to walk with Him daily!
What this means for us?
We suffer death, disappointments, and sorrows in our journeys of faith. We lose people that we love. Terrible things happen everyday to our fellow humans. Often, we want to know why and there is no simple answer that can remove the stinging pain of loss/sorrow. Yet, God gives us the answer to all the bad, unfair, and cruel things that happen in life. The answer is that God came Himself in Jesus to save us so that we wouldn’t be lost in eternal separation and despair apart from God’s presence.
Jesus came down from heaven (Philippians 2:6-11). He came as a servant (Isaiah 53). He humbled Himself and suffered to His death. Paul explains:
6Who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,a
7but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a servant,
8And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross.
9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all names,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
One of the best songs that proclaims this truth is Selah’s “Beautiful, Terrible Cross.”
Jesus Know our sorrows and loves us deeply
When difficulties come into your life, take a moment to read and reflect on these words.
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/selah/beautifulterriblecross.html
When I doubt God’s love and concern for myself in those terrible moments of self-pity, I remind myself of Jesus coming and what He suffered on the cross. That is the ultimate love: that He gave Himself to save us and nothing can separate us from His love! The darkness of despair can’t stand in the presence of His Light!
Grief and sorrow are horrendous, but sorrow and death isn’t the end for those who trust and rely upon Christ. May His Presence and Love surround you in the difficult moments of your journey! As He encourages you, love and encourage others!
Words of Grace & Hope 