Our study lessons for the past three weeks have explored ways in which we can experience God’s presence.
Just as I typed that first sentence, my phone rang. It was Don. He often goes with me to Duke women’s basketball games, but he had to miss last night’s game because of a conflict in his schedule. This morning, he had read about the yesterday’s game, but he wanted to talk to someone who was actually there. He asked about the crowd. He asked about a friend we usually see at games. He asked about specific players. The fact that I had actually been there made a difference to him.
The people of God had heard about the coming Savior. The people of God had read accounts of what it would be like when the promised King would arrive. The people of God had heard messages from God. But it was not the same as it was when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us! (John 1:14) God had been present in many ways, but God’s living human presence in our midst gave God’s people a chance not just to read about the game, but actually to go to the game! When we read the Gospels, we are talking to people who actually went to the game.
And now, through the Holy Spirit, we get a chance to experience that living presence. The resurrected Lord is still with us. We are at the game!
The Gospel writer makes it clear that the “Word become flesh” is the real thing. That Word is the true God from the beginning (v. 2). That true Word is the one who spoke creation into being (v. 3, Genesis 1:3). The Word of God gave us life and light (vv. 4-5, Genesis 1:3-4). With the coming of Jesus Christ, we get to go to the game.
John 14:19 quotes Jesus: “In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.” That is a pretty good assurance that we get to go to the game.
(By the way, the final score last night was Duke 72, Texas A & M 52. I’m glad I got to go to the game!)
What Someone Else Has Said: Martin Marty (Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers, Augsburg Books) has written: “If it is shocking, it is also appealing, because the incarnation, God’s taking on of a form like ours, makes God accessible, available, and approachable.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Amazing grace! You have come and lived among us, O God!...”
