Continued by God

Ruth Kennedy February 23, 2024 3 1

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John 1: 1-3 (Amplified)

1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (]Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.

In the beginning was the Word. (John 1:1)

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

John chose to start his story of the good news of Jesus with an echo of the first book of Moses, Genesis. Or to use its Hebrew name, B’resheet, meaning in the beginning. There is no confusion about what John is doing, he is clearly pointing back through the Hebrew scriptures to Christ because Jesus is all through every Scripture. Right to the end in one of John’s other writings, Revelation. Jesus shows clear continuation from the beginning of time to the end of time as we know it and into eternal life in the new era after His return. Whilst we separate Older and Newer Testament, there is no such distinction for God.

When we read only the New Testament it is like watching only the second half of a play. Likewise, if we only engage with the Old Testament, we leave the playhouse at the interval. Can you just imagine what your experience of Romeo and Juliet would be were you to leave halfway through! The Scriptures connect and depend on one another, they interpret and help explain each other and both are needed to bring the full richness of life in Jesus to realisation. The scriptures are more than books, rather, the Bible is the Book of Books emanating from God which gives instruction, life direction and relationship with God.

If, like John, we also look back on our Judeo-Christian faith to the beginning we see another beautiful aspect of God’s continuation. The Midrash suggests the opening biblical verse offers a principle of how we are to live. Created is the verb and as Scripture tells us we are to walk in His ways, as God creates so do we. We are created in His image, so we bring light into darkness and order to chaos, significance to nothingness. We continue the creative work of God as we learn of it in His Scriptures. Just as the New and Old Testament give purpose to one another, we find our purpose in God as revealed in the Scriptures. And one of our first Christ-given purposes which we discover is that we are to create like God, to continue His good works.

How can we create the image of God around us today?

Prayer:

Alpha and Omega, Jesus.

Beginning and end, Jesus.

Thank you for all the good works you have begun in me. Continue to work in me, continue to create in me a new heart. Continue your work just as you have continued since before creation.

I am trusting in your word Lord, so I am confident that you who began the good work within me will continue your work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

And not just me, keep creating good and light in this world, and where I can be part of that, then here I am. Yes, Holy Spirit empower me to creative expressions of the love of Jesus to those I know today.

For your glory Lord Jesus and by your grace, Amen.