One of the most revolutionary moments in the New Testament, philosophically speaking, is when John declares that “the logos (the Word) became flesh” (refer to last Wednesday’s explanation of ‘logos’). According to a popular way of thinking at that time, perfection could only ever be expressed in ‘pure’ abstract ideas. But John is saying that the perfect expression of truth is a physical person, Jesus Christ. What this means is that to know truth is not to just believe a set of ideas but to embrace Jesus Christ, to follow him and to trust him. It is hard to get excited about ideas. You can’t love an idea. If you have found your enthusiasm for the things of God receding into a cloud of boredom, then it may well be the symptom of a faith grounded in mere ideas. We must of course understand and believe correct doctrine, but true faith is ultimately grounded in a real relationship with a real God who comes to us in Jesus Christ and indwells us by his Holy Spirit. God doesn’t want to be a mere idea to you. He wants to inhabit your very being. He wants to make your physical body his tabernacle. This can be a real and constant experience. The Christian faith is not just about abstract theological reflection but about a real relationship with a God who wants to interact with you every day. Jesus did not die just so that you could know some facts that you didn’t know before. He died so that you could have access to God and live in relationship with him.
Seek God.
Read John 1:14-18
