Read John 1:4
Life
15 April 1912 has been called “A Night to Remember” because in the early morning hours the luxury cruise liner, Titanic, sank into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean on its maiden voyage. Many stories of sacrifice, courage, and heroism by passengers on board the doomed ship have been told, but one of the lesser-known accounts concerns a committed Christian man who, along with many others, was fighting for his life in the freezing cold waters.
Cries for help were coming from all directions but his could be clearly heard encouraging folk to turn to God and place their faith in Him. As his own life ebbed away, he cried out, “I’m going down! I’m going down!” but then suddenly, just as he was about to slip below the surface of the water, his voice rang out loudly, “No I’m not! I’m going up!”
Although his earthly life was about to end, he was confident of eternal life with God in Heaven.
His story isn’t unique as millions of people throughout the past 2000 years have also shared the same confidence of life after death because of their faith in Jesus.
This confidence rests firmly on John’s observation that in Jesus “was life.” The interesting thing about life here is that it isn’t just referring to life after death. It speaks of life – eternal life – as belonging to us now, a life that changes the direction of our lives, giving us joy, hope, and peace.
Jesus once described Himself as “the Life” and said the reason He came to earth was so people could “have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10)
Eternal life is not merely something Jesus gives us when we die – it’s a gift we can have now, by trusting in Jesus – it’s His life in us, now!
According to Matthew, that time came with the birth of Jesus to a couple named Joseph and Mary.
After 400 years, God breaks His silence and speaks His final Word to the world. It is a Word of hope and salvation, the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah, not just for Israel, but for all people.
The Word is identified as Jesus – “the Christ” – and His coming changed the world forever.
Describe a time when God was silent in your life.