1-6-13- Epiphany in John

15(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) 16Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Thoughts: John the Baptist testifies to Jesus as the pre-existent Word.  Christ is the complete God in bodily form- this is beautifully expanding on verse 14- the Word made flesh.  That Christ came is the most gracious and truthful event in human history.  The grace is that God did not have to reveal Himself to us, but did at His own expense.  Then He also revealed  truly who God is.  John mentions Moses as the giver of the Law.  Moses once asked to see God's glory (Ex. 33:18).  Moses was told that no one could see God and live (Ex. 33:20).  Yet God reveals Himself to us in Jesus. On this Epiphany (celebrating God's revealing Himself in Jesus), we remember Jesus shows us what God is like.  If you want to see what God is like, look at Jesus.  He is compassionate to the hurting- the grieving, the sick.  He cares about our hearts, not our exterior/fake shows.  He cares that we know and love Him and know His great love and grace for us.  Jesus surpasses John the Baptist because He is more than an ordinary teacher or an unusual prophet.  He is God who deserves our worship and praise.  

Prayer:  Help me Lord, not just to respect you, but to listen to you and worship you.  Thank you for pouring upon me grace upon grace.  

Note: Epiphany, January 6, is the coming out celebration of Jesus.  So the church remembers Jesus' going to the Temple with Simeon and Anna (Lk. 2), and the coming of the wise men later in his infancy (Mt. 2), and the coming of Jesus to the Temple when he was 12- showing Himself to the religious leaders.  The Eastern church (calling the day "Theophany" literally manifestation of God) adds the baptism of Christ where the Spirit descends on Jesus and the Father's voice says, "This is my Son."  The point of all these conglomerations is the beginning of the manifestation of God to us through Christ.