We meet Jesus in his Word. He is, after all, the Word that was in the beginning with God, and was God, the Word that became Flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-2). The Epistle to the Hebrews says, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). This tells us not only that God speaks supremely through Jesus, but even suggests that Jesus is himself the direct utterance of God.
Scripture also tells us that the words of Jesus (who is the Word), and the words of those who first witnessed to Jesus, communicate the presence and power of Jesus to all who receive him in faith. The Good News of Jesus is itself "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). Reading the Bible can be a high stakes business indeed!
Beginning on Monday, January 16, I will be reading five passages from the Bible about Jesus each week for twenty weeks. Joining me will be members of the congregation of Trinity Church, Potsdam, and perhaps others as well (including readers of this blog). Together we are taking the "Essential Jesus Challenge" proposed by an organization called Scripture Union, whose purpose is to get the People of God to the read the Bible.
What follows are my daily reflections on these 100 passages about Jesus, who is, as the Apostle Paul said, "the image of the invisible God....in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things" (Colossians 1:15,19-20).
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