“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him … In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us … No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known.”
(John 1:1-3a, 4-5, 14a, 18 ESV)
What is God really like? What does He think of me? Can He deal with my brokenness—all the things in me that make me want to hide from the light? Can I trust Him to take care of me—to love me, to protect me, and not to abuse me?
These are some of the most important questions we will ever ask. Everything depends on the answers, because we cannot escape God. No matter how strongly we try to ignore Him, sooner or later reality forces us to deal with Him. And He holds all the power in our relationship, so—what is He like?
The Holy Spirit tells us plainly: When we see Jesus, we see God. Jesus is God come down from heaven to be a human being, one of us—a real Man, full of grace and truth. Loving, teaching, healing, listening, suffering, dying, and rising again—this is God in action. God has come into the world to seek you out—to rescue you from the power of evil, and to make you His own beloved child forever.
We Pray: Lord Holy Spirit, help me to see God in Jesus during these next few weeks. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Pick three words to describe Jesus, from what you know of Him.
* Why does the Holy Spirit call Jesus light in the darkness?
* Why do you think one of Jesus’ names is “the Word”?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on February 14, 2024
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights