Discovering Jesus

The God Who Knows You

In the opening stanzas of Genesis, we learn that God simply spoke the cosmos into being. However, the intricate planning behind the "design" of this universe was done by an all-wise and loving Creator. He did not simply explode the vast material of the cosmos into existence and wait to see what would come out. He intentionally designed every detail of what He was about to create and then brought it into existence through the power of His Word. This command included all of the physical laws of the universe from intergalactic movements to the interaction of the smallest subatomic particles. None of it occurred by chance. It was all done by intelligent design. And the most amazing thing about this creation is that God then breathed "life" into a lifeless cosmos.

Many generations of human history later, the Apostle John was inspired to write the gospel that bears his name. One of the key revelations given through John is that the creative "force" behind the birth of the universe was far more than just an explosive energy field - it was actually a person, God's Son. John declared “All things were made through him...” (John 1:3) and reveals that the Word of God is actually a "divine person" eternally co-existing within the Godhead. John then tells us that in the fullness of time, the Word came to earth in human flesh. The eternal, all-powerful Word that spoke the cosmos into existence eventually became the incarnate Word - a babe in a manger. We call him Jesus of Nazareth.

Thus creation was in reality a very "personal" event. In fact, you can say it was an act of love from the heart of God. Author Michael Reeves in his book Delighting in the Trinity writes "Since God the Father has eternally loved his Son, it is entirely characteristic of him to turn and create others [i.e., humanity] that he might also love them." So, in a sense, God created an entire universe in order that we human beings would have a place to live and breathe and be loved by God. It doesn't get more personal than that!

As we look at our increasingly technological world today we get a sense that civilization is trending more and more in the direction of the impersonal. We see this in so many ways in our culture - computerization, self-checkout, artificial intelligence, and automated everything! But at the heart of the universe is still a God existing in eternal intimacy as three divine persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And amazingly that triune God desires to live in a personal love relationship with us! May we each open our hearts to receive the full embrace of God's love through his Incarnate Word!

Dave Korinek

by Dave Korinek

Reimagine

Are you familiar with the painting of the Rubin Vase (CLICK HERE to view a Rubin Vase example)? It is perhaps the most famous optical illusion ever created. In it, Rubin, a psychologist, creates a masterpiece where there are two things that can be seen. In black you see two faces looking directly at each other. In white, you see a really nice curved vase. Which one you see depends on which one you’re looking at, and whether or not you even expect to see more than one thing!

For centuries, followers of God and readers of Scripture looked at the creation story, not realizing it is a Rubin Vase. But why would they have had any reason to think otherwise? The narrative from Genesis 1-2 is God and Lord God-centered, with the exception of one verse that mentions the Spirit of God hovering over the waters. So, and rightly so, as they contemplated how things came into being, they never considered that there was another, equally true way to understand how what was made, was made.

All of that changed when John sat down and put pen to paper. In verse one of chapter one, he lets us know that there is another way to see creation. He shows us what we were not looking for - it is also Jesus who is intimately involved in making what was made (“without him, nothing was made that has been made.”). It is the ultimate Rubin Vase. When you look at creation one way, you see God. When you look at it another, you see Jesus. And since Jesus is God, either way, you see God!

Sometimes in our hectic lives, we look at our situations and our stresses and we forget that they are, indeed, a Rubin Vase. What matters is what we focus on, or more importantly, Who. And so, do we look at our circumstances, or do we look at Jesus? Do we focus on the creation or the Creator? Do we even think to look for Jesus at all?

Today, may you be enabled by the Spirit of God to see the Son of God in all that is going on in your life. If you need to, ask Him to help you see Him instead of what crowds Him out.

I plan to join you in this prayer.

Scott Smith
Care Pastor

by Scott Smith