Distinct Part 1: "Expression"

How do we as Christian understand and communicate the uniqueness of Jesus within a culture that is attempting to blend all religious figures together? As with most issues, we find our answer when we search the Bible and follow the examples of those who also sought to identify God as the one true God. Religious pluralism is not new to our day. It has been a part of human history for as long as it has been recorded. In both the Old and New Testaments we find examples of religious followers distinguishing their god from the gods of others. These distinctions usually had to so with specific actions or territories of a particular God. An example of this is found in chapter one of the book of Jonah. As Jonah was attempting to run away from God, he boarded a ship bound for Tarshish which was in the opposite direction of Nineveh the town to which he had been called. God then caused a storm to arise and those aboard the ship sought to find out who's god was causing it. As they addressed Jonah, He referred to God (YHWH) as the creator of  the sea and the dry land.  

In our day we are, from within a storm of moral and religious issues, being asked to identify God and in particular Jesus Christ. John in his gospel account beings by describing the nature of Jesus. Over the next three weeks we will be discussing John's description of Jesus to better understand the His distinct nature. This week we will focus on verse 1-5. In these verses we are told that Jesus is the unique expression of God. 

To begin this discussion read Isaiah 42:5 along with our main text John 1:1-5: These verse are very similar because they are expressing the same person.

Isaiah 42:5 

"Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:" (ESV)

John 1:1-5

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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Isaiah and John are using similar descriptions and we are to do the same today. For the remainder of this post I will be focusing on the passage from John by listing five qualities of Jesus that we have been given by John. Along with these qualities I am providing possible applications that we are to use in our daily relationship with God through Jesus. 

1. Jesus is the expression of the mind of God. V.1-2

    NOTE: Based upon the literal meaning of key words within this first verse it can be interpreted as,“a progression of thought not three independent statements. Disagree with me is you desire, but the following is my personal translation of verse one. I do not claim that my interpretation is authoritative, I simply offer it for mutual understanding.“At the origin I was an utterance of mind, this utterance of mind was the advantage of Deity the utterance of mind I was God.”

Application: Embrace God’s thoughts toward you as revealed through Jesus.

2. Jesus is the creator of all things. V.3 Application: Put your hope in the creative power of Jesus.

3. Jesus is the possessor and give of life. V.4

            

Application: Live it to the fullest.

4. Jesus is the giver of reason and understanding. V.4

    
Application: Allow Jesus to help you make sense of your world.

5. Jesus overcomes to ignorance that is associated with wickedness. V.5

   
Application: Understand that what we are being told is political correctness is in reality the

darkness trying to overcome the light.

May all that makes Jesus unique be alive in you and may we be a church that expresses the uniqueness of Jesus as we bring people to Him.