“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” – John 1:10
Scripture reading: John 1:1-14
The Christmas story is one of the greatest mystery stories; the baby in the manger is God. How can this be? It is hard to understand how baby Jesus could be perfectly united to the other persons of the Trinity – God the Father and the Holy Spirit – and at the same time held in His mother’s arms. Furthermore, Jesus was God plus everything it is to be human. He wasn’t God, less some parts of God, so that He could be human. He wasn’t God in this part of Himself and human in this other part. Rather, Jesus was fully God and fully man, yet completely perfect. It is incomprehensible.
Not being able to understand things can be upsetting, like when you get questions wrong on a test at school. Yet, there is comfort in worshiping God, who is greater than you are, who is beyond your understanding, who is awesome.
Even more mysterious than the Christmas story is the Easter story. If Jesus is fully God, it is startling that He died (even more so than His rising from the dead). Jesus set aside His glory and held back His power. He became a perfectly obedient slave, accepting hardships and being hurt, lonely, misunderstood, hated and dying a criminal’s death.
Marvel at Jesus’ great love for His people. Look at all He was willing to do so that believers might be pardoned, have peace with God and have sure hope of glory.
Suggestions for prayer
Praise God for His grace and love in sending Jesus to save sinners. Pray that Jesus may save you from your sins and be your God. Pray that you may be like Jesus, setting aside your glory to serve others.
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com