The Word Becomes Flesh

The best way of communicating with people is always in person, face to face.

When we write letters or texts or emails, there is often room for confusion or ambiguity. It is not always clear what we mean to emphasise or draw attention to. Intonation is lost or, worse, misconstrued.

Even speaking on the phone has its problems: without the aid of non-verbal clues, subtle meanings can be missed.

Yes, the best way to communicate with someone is in person, face to face.

God sent His Son at Christmas so that He could communicate with us in person, face to face. In the past, God had spoken through prophets and through signs (He spoke to Moses through a burning bush and followed the Israelites when they left Egypt as a pillar of cloud in the day and fire at night). But He hadn't spoken face to face with anyone since Adam and Eve. walked with Him in the Garden of Eden and spoke to Him face to face.

But after our disobedience, we could no longer enjoy this uninterrupted, unspoilt communion with our heavenly Father.

Until the birth of Jesus.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning [...] 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.

[John 1:1-2, 14 NIV]

John describes Jesus as the Word - He is the embodiment of everything that God wanted to say to us.  He provides the way for us to have a conversation with God in person, face to face.

I love these words in the carol 'O Come All Ye Faithful'

"Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing."

We can often question how we can hear God's voice or what He might say in different circumstances.  But rather than feeling hopeless at the idea that we don't know what He is saying, we can turn to Jesus, who embodies God's message of love and grace and forgiveness.

Face To Face

I love chatting to people, but there is nothing quite like talking face to face.  I often find myself saying, "I haven't seen you in ages!" even if I have spoken to someone on the phone recently, or have been texting or emailing them.

 

There is something about seeing someone face to face.

 

When we are face to face with someone, we can see their reactions.  We can read their thoughts and see their emotions.  We can hear the pauses in their conversation and the changing tone in their voices.  There is something different about being close enough to someone to look into their eyes.

 

It creates intimacy and allows for authenticity.  It's harder to pretend you're fine when someone can look into your eyes and see that you're not.

 

The Bible says that Moses enjoyed this privilege in speaking to God face to face:

"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."

[Exodus 33:11 NIV]

 

Often we can feel as though we couldn't look God in the face, because we are too sinful or ashamed or guilty.  We think that if He looked into our eyes, He would be disappointed.  But through Jesus, we can have a close and intimate relationship with God. 

 

We can talk to Him face to face.

 

Paul describes this beautifully in his letter to the Corinthians:

 

"God said, 'Light up the darkness!' and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful."

 

[2 Corinthians 4:6 MSG]

 

We see God's love for us when we gaze into the face of Christ. But we have to choose to spend time with Him, talking face to face.

 

And as we look into the face of Christ, we see and understand that God is not disappointed in us, or ashamed of us.  He is delighted in us and rejoices over us.

 

 

 

 

Does Prayer Work?

Does prayer work?

It's a question asked over and over and over.  By people who are seeking God.  By people who are doubting God.  By people who are questioning God.  By people who love God.  By people who hate God.  By people who are angry at God.

Does God hear our prayers?  Does He care?  Does He answer them?  Why does He answer some prayers and not others?  What makes Him answer our prayers?  Is there a 'right' way to pray?  Is there a 'wrong' way to pray?  Do His answers relate to our faith?

Does prayer work?

Many people ask the question.

But I don't think it's the right question to ask. 

Prayer isn't a mechanism or a magic formula.  It isn't a cosmic shopping list, or a 'request slot' with God.  Prayer isn't about me and what I want.  Prayer isn't something that works or doesn't work.

Prayer is talking to our Father in Heaven.  Prayer is a conversation with our Creator.  Prayer is relationship.  In the same way that human relationships are built on communication, our relationship with God is built on prayer. 

When I chat to family or friends on the phone or face-to-face, I don't simply ask them for things.  And I don't judge their love for me on whether or not they meet my demands.  Of course, there are times when I do ask for things from them, but that is part of my relationship and conversation with them, not the whole relationship.  Most of the relationship is built on chatting and sharing, talking and listening.  Learning more about the other person - their thoughts and beliefs, their likes and dislikes.  Learning what they are passionate about and what they value.  And it's about sharing my thoughts and beliefs and values and dreams and hopes and fears.

Prayer is the same.

It is about falling in love with God and partnering with Him to fulfil His work in this world.

Jesus advised His followers to pray like this:

"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God.  Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.  The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant.  They're full of formulas and programmes and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God.  Don't fall for that nonsense.  This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.  With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply."
[Matthew 6:6-7 MSG]

Perhaps instead of asking Does prayer work? we would be better off asking What is prayer? and spending our time developing our relationship with God.

[The most useful and beautiful book I've ever read about the question of prayer is "God on Mute" by Pete Greig.  I strongly recommend it.]