December 13, 2004

THE REVELATION OF GOD

"No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:18, NKJV).

One of the most illuminating portraits of Jesus is John's incisive portrayal of Him as the unique revelation of God to humanity. Through Christ, the invisible God has been revealed, declared, unfolded, and accurately interpreted. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Jesus came to earth for the express purpose of revealing God to man. Only as the sinner comes to know God as Jesus has revealed Him is salvation efficacious.

The God that Jesus has declared is a personal, wise, just, compassionate, and caring Father who loves His children with an everlasting love. He loved His children so much that He gave His unique Son to die in order that we might be saved (see John 3:16). What a radical revelation of God! For all practical purposes, those who saw Christ when He was on earth, saw the Father. As the revelation of the Father, Jesus Himself asserted, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9, NKJV).

Jesus knows the Father as no one else could ever know Him (see John 13:33). This intimate association with God has made Him a credible and reliable witness of who God is. He who knew the Father best is obviously the most qualified to come to earth to reveal Him to the human family (see John 14:7-9). That's why Jesus is the greatest and most reliable revelation of God this world has ever seen. Jesus is the incomparable manifestation of God's person, nature, and purpose. "The gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart. It testifies that, having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work." Counsels on Stewardship, p. 14.

My Prayer Today: Lord, thank You for sending Your beloved Son to declare Your matchless love and grace. Amen.