Meandering - God With Us

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:15-16

People often wonder, “What is God like?” Well, God is a God of light (1 John 1:5). He loves to reveal himself. Of course, where we have all loved the darkness more than the light (John 3:19), it’s only by God’s grace that our eyes are opened. It’s through eyes of faith that we no longer see a cosmos created by the evolutionary god of chance, but instead we gaze in wonder and gratitude at the workmanship of a creative God of beauty. Our God, and what he is like, is revealed through all of his creation. His “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made” (Romans 1:20).

Also, our God is revealed to us through the sacred writings of Scripture. Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, glimpses of God’s character, such as his glory, grace, justice, mercy, power, holiness, and love, are seen and made known to the thoughtful reader. God, therefore, wanting us to know what he is like, has revealed himself to us through all of creation and his written Word. 

However, our God, who is Spirit and invisible, has in the most glorious way, revealed himself to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, if you will, is God’s Selfie! “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” (John 1:14).  At Christmas we celebrate this incredible truth of the incarnation. God wrapped himself in our flesh, becoming one of us, so that through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we get a clear view of what God is like. Jesus revealed to the world that God was not willing to have us eternally perish in darkness and sin. Divine light came into the world to show us the way of salvation. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2). 

Contemplate the nativity scene. There’s faithful Joseph, tender Mary, shining angels, excited shepherds, wise men, sheep, donkeys, and oxen. At the centre is sweet, cuddly, baby Jesus. You might just want to pick him up, hug him, and give him a squeeze. And if you could have, remember, you would have been holding God, who at that moment was upholding you along with the entire universe by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3). You would have been squeezing the Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16). Your hands may have trembled to be holding (and beholding) the newborn also known as the one and only, “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Thanks for meandering along with me,
Pastor Daniel