![]() READ: Luke 1:1-4; John 1:1-18 In Luke 1:1-4, Luke demonstrates painstaking care in describing “the things that have been accomplished among us.” He uses statements like “undertaken,” “eyewitnesses,” “followed all things closely for some time,” “orderly account,” and “have certainty” to communicate the carefulness with which he and others have passed along what they witnessed from Christ. Yet, John’s Gospel suggests a special blessing for those “who have not seen and yet have believed” (20:29). While we may at times quietly wish to have been alive during Jesus’ time so that we could have benefited more fully from physical interaction with Him (or wished this for unsaved loved ones), John 1:9-13 demonstrates that spiritual blessing does not necessarily come through physical interaction with Christ, but rather through whole-hearted belief in Christ. While there were several eye-witnesses that expressed faith in Christ (as Luke demonstrates), the general rule was that “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him” (John 1:11). So, physical interaction with Christ never guaranteed spiritual blessing. Faith was the key! Eternal, spiritual blessing comes to those who “believe in His name…who [are] born…of God” (1:12). So, while physical interaction, one the one hand, didn’t guarantee spiritual blessing, neither does physical removal, on the other hand, render us disadvantaged. A relationship with Christ is still by grace (v. 13) through faith (v. 14). And, because Christ is the unending Word (v. 1) and manifestation of God (v. 14, 18) who ministers life (v. 4), grace, and truth (v. 14, 17), we can know Him fully and personally, albeit not yet physically. So, dig into the Word, and with eyes of faith see the risen Savior and cry “My Lord and my God!” For more Christmas Meditations, click here. Comments are closed.
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