FRIDAY
MARCH 8

READ:
John 1:1-18

To all who received Him, . . . He gave the right to become children of God. 

John 1:12

 

Reality
At the end of a great day at Disney/MGM Studios park in Orlando, our minds were filled with images of Hollywood stunts, pulsing lights, explosions, and imaginary flights through space.

Walking back to our car, we noticed a crowd of people crouched on the sidewalk pointing and whispering, "Hey, look at that! Cool!" We stopped to see what the attraction was and discovered two armadillos rooting around in the grass, enjoying a late-night meal.

After everyone had been dazzled with all that the masters of high tech could muster, it seemed strange they would find a couple of armadillos so fascinating. The only explanation I could think of was that the animals were not imaginary, but real. No script, no illusions, no 3-D holograms, just a couple of armor-plated mammals out for dinner at Disney World. Sometimes simple reality is the most powerful medium.

When God revealed Himself to people on earth, He didn't use any of the spectacular means at His disposal. Think of what He could have done with comets and asteroids and galactic pyrotechnics. Or what about a light show that would make lasers seem puny by comparison? There was no booming voice heard simultaneously around the world.

Instead of high tech, God used high touch. "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known" (John 1:14,18).

Above all, Jesus was real. His words had the ring of authority. His look communicated compassion. His touch brought healing and restoration. His death came with excruciating pain. His resurrection demonstrated the power of God.

All of us are searching for reality. Jesus' life was "full of grace and truth," and that's what He will give everyone who follows Him. "To all who received Him, . . . He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). 

It's profoundly simple—but real. —DM

REFLECTION

  • Why do I think God the Father sent His Son as a baby, born without fanfare in Bethlehem? 
  • How would I answer someone who said that the miracles Jesus did were just "special effects"? 
  • In what ways is Jesus real to me today? 
Christ took on human flesh to show us the glory of God.


©2002 RBC Ministries—Grand Rapids, MI 49555