Day 14 of 14

NIV

1 John 1:1-3

'No 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.' John 1:18 (NIV) '[Jesus] said to them, "But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”' Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV) 'That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes … and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life … eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us … we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.' 1 John 1:1-3  (ESV)

Reflection: Are you up for one final epiphany?

We’ve been looking into the face of God through the treasure of his Son; scooping names and claims from the treasury of eyewitness accounts. We were designed for that kind of not just head knowledge but knowing-intimacy. With each name and claim of Jesus we get Warmer! Warmer! But they’re still just glimmers.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.*

Did you catch that little phrase? Who cares what I think of him if it’s not fomented in what he thinks of me? And what he thinks of me is beyond my wildest dreams.

I am graven on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16). I am never out of his mind. All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me. I know him because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when his eye is off me, or his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care falters.**

Prayer:

Jesus, Son of God, High Priest and advocate, with empathy, knowing our weaknesses, help us to hold fast to our confession. Give us an ever more profound understanding and experience of your ecstatic love … until the day when we fully know how fully known we are. Until that fullest celebration keep us living and loving for your honour and delight.

(For further reflection, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZj8HoUe-G4)

Jesu joy of man’s desiring
Holy wisdom, love most bright
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
With the fire of life impassioned
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying round Thy throne

Through the way where hope is guiding
Hark, what peaceful music rings
Where the flock in Thee confiding
Drink of joy from deathless springs

Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown by J.S. Bach 

Notes:

*1 Corinthians 13:12-13 NLT

**Theologian, J.I. Packer