Unboxing the Universe
Peter Neilson
January 05, 2022
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John 1: 1-18 (NRSVA)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
The Word embedded in the universe is now the Word embodied in Jesus of Nazareth. The Word that gives life to the creation in the beginning, now offers the new life of the New Creation. The Word that called a people into being, finds no recognition among them, but waits to be received by those who will receive him like children.
The Word pitches his tent, and “tabernacles” among us. No need for Temples now. The God who has remained unseen, is now made known, “full of grace and truth”. Here is mystery of a new kind. No longer the mystery of hiddenness, but the mystery of revelation.
God has become a human being. The Creator has become a creature. The Eternal has entered history. Eternal life has been clothed in mortal flesh. Eternal light overcomes every darkness.
Paradox upon paradox. No way of understanding it. Only “standing under” the mystery of it all.
PRAYER:
Today we pray for the atheists
Who have edited God out of their universe.
May the Word embedded in Creation
Whisper through moments of awe
Before the stars and the infinity of space.
Today we pray for the agnostics
Who hover on the brink of faith
Unsure, but open.
May the Word embodied in Jesus
Speak with grace and truth
Inviting them to come and see with new eyes.
Today we pray for the hurting ones
Whose capacity for trust has been broken,
Swinging between angst and anger.
May the Light that overcomes darkness
Shine healing love into their hearts.
Today we pray for the wondering ones
Who would like to believe but cannot,
Unable to wrap their minds round the mystery.
May God speak to them through an unsought kindness
Or an unexpected sign of his glory. AMEN
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