“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
In the same way that God spoke light into existence, God makes his light to shine in our hearts. We don’t make light. God does. It was God’s decision and initiative to create light and likewise it is his decision to reveal himself to us. We only know God because he allows us to know him, we only know he loves us and cares about us because he has revealed himself to us.
It’s an awesome thought that the God who put all the stars in place, and made the whole universe chooses to make himself known to us. After all God is under no obligation to tell us anything about himself. He could have just have easily chosen not to reveal himself to us. Our knowledge of God is the result of his gracious decision and desire to have fellowship with us.
From the beginning of Genesis throughout the entire Old Testament we see many times and in various ways God’s desire to have fellowship with his people and then we come to the New Testament.
Hebrews begins with these words, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus said “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Still it wasn’t enough for God to reveal himself to us, he also wanted a relationship with us. And so Jesus not only showed us the Father, he also showed us the Father’s heart toward us by dying in our place.
Let’s pray:
Father God, thank you for choosing to reveal yourself to us. We understand that you didn’t have to do this. You could have left us in the darkness of our sin. However in your great love for us, you shone your light into our hearts and made a way for us to reconciled to you through Jesus’ death on the cross.
As we take the bread and wine today I pray that we will wonder afresh at the depths of your love and compassion for your people and I pray that we will respond by giving you our hearts. Amen
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