Touching the Infinite John 1:1-14
by Doug McCulley
I saw a section of a website with the heading
A Slice of Infinity.
This started me to think about how
when we truly experience
an encounter with God's Incarnation,
we are connecting to the Infinite.
There are some details that we are not sure of.
We don't know the exact date of his birth.
We don't know the number of Magi who showed up to worship Child.
But what we do know is amazing.
John writes an incredible record of this in John Chapter 1.
One of the characteristics of Hebrew Poetry is that the same thought is expressed repeatedly in different ways for emphasis.
Notice how John does this throughout this passage
but especially in the first few sentences:
by Doug McCulley
I saw a section of a website with the heading
A Slice of Infinity.
This started me to think about how
when we truly experience
an encounter with God's Incarnation,
we are connecting to the Infinite.
There are some details that we are not sure of.
We don't know the exact date of his birth.
We don't know the number of Magi who showed up to worship Child.
But what we do know is amazing.
John writes an incredible record of this in John Chapter 1.
One of the characteristics of Hebrew Poetry is that the same thought is expressed repeatedly in different ways for emphasis.
Notice how John does this throughout this passage
but especially in the first few sentences:
And then there is these remarkable words recorded in John 1:12-13
John states that God gave the right to become His children. I don't think we can see import of this term because our culture was established with rights. But in John's time few people had a concept of any rights. Roman Citizens had a few, but no one else.
John introduces a staggering thought... God gives us the RIGHT to be His Child!!
And just in case it wasn't clear enough that this is about Christmas, the Incarnation...
John introduces a staggering thought... God gives us the RIGHT to be His Child!!
And just in case it wasn't clear enough that this is about Christmas, the Incarnation...
Dwelling is translating the word that literally means tabernacle or tent.
He pitched His tent in our midst!
In the scriptures, glory is the Shining Light of God's presence and is also associated with God's (shining, holy) Character as well.
Reread this passage substituting shining light for glory;
then again with God’s character for it.
He pitched His tent in our midst!
In the scriptures, glory is the Shining Light of God's presence and is also associated with God's (shining, holy) Character as well.
Reread this passage substituting shining light for glory;
then again with God’s character for it.
And so we have Christmas summarized in these few words.
Easy copy and paste text:
Touching the Infinite John 1:1-14
By Doug McCulley
I saw a section of a website with the heading
A Slice of Infinity.
This started me to think about how
when we truly experience
an encounter with God's Incarnation,
we are connecting to the Infinite.
There are some details that we are not sure of.
We don't know the exact date of his birth.
We don't know the number of Magi who showed up to worship Child.
But what we do know is amazing.
John writes an incredible record of this.
One of the characteristics of Hebrew Poetry is that the same thought is expressed repeatedly in different ways for emphasis.
Notice how John does this throughout this passage but especially in the first few sentences:
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things were made;
without Him nothing was made that has been made.
—John 1:1-3
Some thoughts about John 1:12-13
Yet to all who did receive Him,
to those who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become children of God--
children born not of natural descent,
nor of human decision or a husband’s will,
but born of God.
John states that God gave the right to become His children. I don't think we can see import of this term because our culture was established with rights. But in John's time few people had a concept of any rights. Roman Citizens had a few, but no one else. John introduces a staggering thought... God gives us the RIGHT to be His Child!
And just in case it wasn't clear enough ...
The Word became flesh and
made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory,
the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
-- John 1:14
Dwelling is translating the word that literally means tabernacle or tent. He pitched His tent in our midst!
In the scriptures, Glory is the Shining Light of God's presence and is also associated with God's (Shining Holy) Character as well.
Reread this passage substituting shining light for glory;
then again with God’s character for it.
Christmas summarized in a few words:
God Became Flesh,
Pitched His Tent among us
and We Beheld His Glory...
God’s Greatness Shining Forth,
His Character Displayed!
And by faith in this fact...
we touch the Infinite
We have the right to become God's Child!
Touching the Infinite John 1:1-14
By Doug McCulley
I saw a section of a website with the heading
A Slice of Infinity.
This started me to think about how
when we truly experience
an encounter with God's Incarnation,
we are connecting to the Infinite.
There are some details that we are not sure of.
We don't know the exact date of his birth.
We don't know the number of Magi who showed up to worship Child.
But what we do know is amazing.
John writes an incredible record of this.
One of the characteristics of Hebrew Poetry is that the same thought is expressed repeatedly in different ways for emphasis.
Notice how John does this throughout this passage but especially in the first few sentences:
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things were made;
without Him nothing was made that has been made.
—John 1:1-3
Some thoughts about John 1:12-13
Yet to all who did receive Him,
to those who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become children of God--
children born not of natural descent,
nor of human decision or a husband’s will,
but born of God.
John states that God gave the right to become His children. I don't think we can see import of this term because our culture was established with rights. But in John's time few people had a concept of any rights. Roman Citizens had a few, but no one else. John introduces a staggering thought... God gives us the RIGHT to be His Child!
And just in case it wasn't clear enough ...
The Word became flesh and
made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory,
the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
-- John 1:14
Dwelling is translating the word that literally means tabernacle or tent. He pitched His tent in our midst!
In the scriptures, Glory is the Shining Light of God's presence and is also associated with God's (Shining Holy) Character as well.
Reread this passage substituting shining light for glory;
then again with God’s character for it.
Christmas summarized in a few words:
God Became Flesh,
Pitched His Tent among us
and We Beheld His Glory...
God’s Greatness Shining Forth,
His Character Displayed!
And by faith in this fact...
we touch the Infinite
We have the right to become God's Child!