The Visible God

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.” 1 Peter 1:21 NLT

As we enter the Advent Season, we are reminded that Jesus was born as “Emmanuel” – “God with us.” The wonder and consequence of Jesus coming to this earth for 33 years, was to reveal and to redeem. His death on the cross would redeem all who place their faith in Him from their sins.

But we see Christ’s role as the “Revealer” of God the Father being significant as well. Paul wrote, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15 NLT) Jesus told His disciples, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9 NIV)

This statement of Jesus to Philip was in response to the request, “show us the Father.” That is a request that is born out of a desire to fully know God the Father.

As Peter writes his first letter he reminds believers that because of Christ our trust in God is solidified. He goes on and states that this is affirmed by the fact that God raised Christ from the death. As a result, all those who embrace Christ’s forgiveness, place their faith and hope in God. What God did for Jesus, He will do for us one day. He will bring us resurrection and a home with Him for eternity.

Drawing closer to Jesus, brings us closer to God the Father. Learning more about Jesus, is learning more about God the Father. Paul declares, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Jesus Christ]...” (Colossians 1:19 NIV)

In this season of advent, it is good to contemplate with awe once again the miracle of the “Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.” (John 1:14) In most religions people try to elevate themselves to a status equal to their god. In Christ, God came to His sinful and fallen world to reveal Himself to us.

God’s desire for us to know Him and to know His purpose for our life is so great that He sent the eternal Son of God to this earth to be seen and to be observed. John put it this way,  “But the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14 NLT)

In this Christmas season, heed the invitation of the songs of old to, “come let us adore Him” As you “behold Him” and learn of Him, your trust in God the Father and your faith and hope will be strengthened. That is God’s gift to you.