Clear and Present Explanation

S - “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”  (John 1:17-18 NASB)

O -  The Scripture is telling us that he, Jesus, has explained God. His explanation was and is needed. The term for explained (ἐξηγέομαι) means to lead the way, to reveal, manifest and interpret. The religion of Jesus' day (like all religions to this very day) distorted both the explanation and the message of God. He tells the religious of his day that they are tragically mistaken about God and his Kingdom; whom they claim to represent and know. Jesus consistently makes the point that he is sent by God the Father, only does what he sees his Father doing and only says what his Father is saying. In fact, when anyone sees Jesus he is looking at the Father (John 12:44-45).  Jesus never called and never does call a person to a religion or a cause. Only to himself. "Follow me" is the call and he leads the way in everything … revealing, manifesting and explaining God and his Kingdom.

A - Many claim to represent Jesus when they are actually ignoring, distorting or refusing the very truths he lived and taught. They want to use his words but deny their meaning. To this his instruction is clear: all others are thieves and robbers (John 10).  “Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees [i.e. the Scripture guys] were offended when they heard this statement?" But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”” (Matthew 15:12-14 NASB). Am I following and engaging Jesus and his explanation or the explanations of others … even well intended others?

P - Lord Jesus,

To this very day you remain amazing and openhearted to all. You are the message from heaven. You are life; vibrant, irrepressible, eternal. I admit that you alone are the explanation, revelation and manifestation of God. I say yes to you … only you. All others are blind guides at best and thieves and robbers at the worst. I am grateful to not only belong to you by right but by grace. You lead. I follow.

Amazed,

Steve