In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God. John 1.1
Those beautiful, poetic words which open the Gospel of John are the first words a student of New Testament Greek reads in the original language. In Greek this line is even more beautiful and poetic as it contains internal rhyme, alliteration, and meter. In terms of vocabulary and syntax they are the NT Greek equivalent of “See Spot run.” Theologically, however, this is perhaps the most profound line in the Bible. “The Word” refers to Jesus, which becomes crystal clear by verse 14. That Jesus would be called “The Word” alone could occupy a lifetime of study, thought, and prayer. John starts us off on such a journey by explaining that the Word was God’s method, mode, and medium of creation. This we know from Genesis 1, a passage John intentionally evokes here. God spoke words and the universe emerged. John tells us that the power of creation was not in words, but “the Word.”
But the rest of that first verse transcends even our ability to imagine. God is One (Deuteronomy 6.4). How can one be God, and be with God simultaneously? To be with someone means to be in their presence. But it also understands that one is not the person one is with. To be beside another demands that one we are beside is other than us. How can you be someone, and be with that same one? And what does that tell us about God? We often use the word “trinity” to name what the Bible describes, but it is not a biblical word, and isn’t particularly helpful. Neither are Patrick’s example of the shamrock (three leaves make one clover), or Hinduism’s chanted oum (three letters make one sound). Jesus is God, and Jesus is with God (at His right hand, to be specific – Hebrews 10.12 ). We know that it is true. We don’t know how it is true.
And that is as it must be if it is true. If our God could be mastered by an individual, finite brain, He wouldn’t be much of a god, as J.B. Phillips pointed out years ago in his book Your God is too Small. There is but One God. Yet there is some dynamic at work which allows the Son to be at the right hand of the Father, and yet which insists that the two are only one person. This has been true from the beginning. Add to this the fact that the Son is now fully human as well as divine (Hebrews 2.10-18). He is God, and He is us. We know that this is true. We do not know how it is true. This is how it must be if our God is God.
I am about to do things in your day you would not believe even if I explained them to you. Habakkuk 1.5
‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ Isaiah 55.8-9
On a fairly regular basis, back when I was a teen, we used to have Bible class teachers who used the overhead projector obsessively. Some had pretty cool visuals. Others had elaborate outlines domesticating biblical truth –penning it up in manageable portions. An outline is a wonderful tool to use when a vast amount of information needs to be organized. Some of these outline makers seemed to have more faith in the outline than in the word – as if this organizational tool could reduce every biblical truth to an easily mastered factoid. This is hubris. It is a virulent form of blasphemy to believe that God is small enough to be mastered by the human mind. It demonstrates a lack of faith in Faith to insist we know how as well as what.
God has given us everything we need that pertains to life and godliness (II Peter 1.3). He has communicated everything we need to be saved and enjoy the abundant life. God has given us minds suited to understand and to respond to this information. He gives us the power to respond, and grace when we repent. He gives us constant, unconditional love. What more do we need for our journey?
