Day 5, Read John 1:1,18; 5:31-40

“The Word was God.”

The Old Testament predicted, and in the New Testament it was fulfilled, that Jesus the Messiah would be a stone of stumbling, a rock of offense (Isa. 8:14; 1 Peter 2:8).  The point of stumbling was not simply in His claim to be the Christ (Messiah); it was that as Messiah He was God come in the flesh.  The Word that became flesh and tented among us (Jn. 1:14) WAS GOD (Jn. 1:1).

The Jews of His day were confused concerning His origin.  They thought of Him as the local boy (Jn. 7:41-42), the son of Joseph (Jn. 6:41-42).  And when they did correctly hear His claims to deity, they rejected His blasphemy (Jn. 5:17-18; 8:58-59; 10:30-33).  

One thing that can be said about the Jews: they understood that the claim to be the Son of God is a claim to deity (Jn. 5:17-18; see yesterday’s study on this subject).  Deniers of Christ today do not even understand this simple truth.  One cult has produced a false translation of John 1:1, making it say “the Word was a god” as if this solves their problem of a Godhead with multiple gods.  Only the doctrine of the “Trinity” maintains the Biblical demand of monotheism (one God) while acknowledging the distinctions (three persons) within the Godhead.

I had a Jewish English teacher in high school.  At a time when we were allowed to have such discussions, I remember her telling us (the class) that she respected Jesus but did not like Paul.  She considered him arrogant, corrupting Jesus’ teachings.  I have heard this in Israel also.  But the problem is that you cannot simply view Jesus as the nice Jewish boy from next door (as one Rabbi expressed it).  Jesus’ own claims do not allow for this.  In John 5 Jesus maintained His stand, calling upon five witnesses to confirm His divine claims.

·        5:33-36: the testimony of John the Baptist.

·        5:36: the testimony of His miraculous works (signs).

·        5:37-38: the testimony of His Father who from heaven audibly spoke of Jesus as His beloved Son (Matt. 3:17; 17:5).

·        5:39: the testimony of the Old Testament (e.g. Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2, etc).

·        5:45-47: the testimony of Moses (Deut. 18:15-22, etc.).

On the other hand, those who do not stumble but place their trust in Jesus find great encouragement at the celebration of His birth.  They realize that since God Himself became flesh, we have in Jesus the fullest revelation of God that there can be (Jn. 1:18; Heb. 1:1-3).  God has spoken in Son, as clearly as He can speak.

Furthermore, we see the amazing love of God.  God Himself, in the person of the Son of God, is the atonement for our sins (1 John 4:10).  Dwell on this theme in your celebrations.  Wherever you read in the stories of the birth of Christ you will be reminded of this marvelous truth.  Don’t miss it!