John 1:18 – Made Himself Known

“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

Through Jesus, God, “has made him[self] known,” (John 1:18). Stop and consider this for a moment. The God of the universe has chosen to make himself known to you. Yes, the same God who created the galaxies, the peach you pull from the tree, and the spirit within you has made himself knowable. His glory, power, provision, creativity, and generosity are revealed clearly in creation. But He chose to reveal His heart through sending His Son. Yes, the Savior came to Earth, setting aside His glory and taking the humble form of a man; teaching and revealing the character of God through His life. He died an atoning death on the cross for the sins of all mankind; rising again on the third day and continuing to teach and reveal the character of God. He ascended to Heaven and reclaimed His glory; giving us His inspired Word and continuing to teach us through the Bible. He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and guide our hearts, and He intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father at this very moment. But as much as has been revealed to us, the fullness of seeing and knowing God is still beyond our grasp until we meet God in Heaven. “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears… for now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known,” (1 Cor. 13:9,10,12).

Through scripture and experience we see that the mere, “reflection,” of God is enough to change our lives completely. It is enough to cast us “facedown,” before Him (Lev. 9:24; Num. 16.4, 16:22,45; 1 Kings 18:7,39; Ezra 10:1; Ezek. 1:28. 3:23, 9:8, 11:13, 43:3, 44:4, Dan. 8:17). It is enough to cause us to drop everything and follow Him (Matt. 4:19-20). It is enough to cause us to submit everything to Him to honor Him and be made more like Him (Matt. 16:24-27). It is enough to place our hope in Him (Psalm 62:5-6, Prov. 23:18). And it is enough to make us long for the day He comes to redeem His church or the day we meet Him in Heaven face to face (Ecc. 3:11, Phil. 1:23-24).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, for forgiving our sins, for bridging the gap between us and you. Thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit to walk with us and guide us. Thank you for making yourself knowable to us and for desiring relationship with us. Help us to see You and know You more each day.