John’s Next Point

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Don Merritt

B. John’s Introduction The Middle Part John 1:5-13

Verse 5 begins the next little section of John’s text, a section that continues through verse 13. The theme is that of the manifestation of the Word in this dark world, and in this it is interesting to note the transition from the Word, to God and then of Word-God into “light”. We can easily see, through this device, that the three terms, Word, God, and light are being used interchangeably to describe attributes of God, thus they are One in their reference to Christ, who is as yet unnamed in the text.

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:5

Once again, John has put into one simple statement a fact that theologians have struggled with for centuries; the world around us just doesn’t “get it”. OK, those poor souls who live in the darkness of this world don’t always understand the light; why does this surprise us? We have been called to reach out to the world around us to deliver the message of light to them and help them to see it for what it is: grace and truth. Why should we be surprised to be called to help others understand?

There was a guy who answered this calling, and his name was John. This John is not the same guy who wrote the gospel, yet both of them were only too happy to share the light with a dark world. Verses 5-9 set up what follows by pointing out that this John (the Baptist) was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah who was about to burst upon the scene in the person of Jesus. John was not the light, just as you and I are not the light, yet he was sent to prepare the people to hear the message that would come in Christ.

In our time, the light has already come, and we have received it and received grace as a result.

This “light” who is also the Word-God, came into this world of darkness, and even though He made the world, the world simply didn’t recognize Him for who He really was. He even came amongst His own covenant people, the ones who had received the message of the prophets concerning Him and His coming, yet they, for the most part, didn’t recognize Him any more than they recognized the prophets when they came. Yet, for those who did see Him for who He was, He made it possible for them to be reborn as children of God.

There’ one last part of John’s Introduction, and we’ll see that next time!

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The Second Christmas Lesson

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Don Merritt

The second Christmas lesson, is just who it was that was born in Bethlehem so long ago.  John makes it clear at the beginning of his Gospel:

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

 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:1-5

The One who was born was the Word, and the Word had been with God from the very beginning, and in fact was God in John’s rather heavenly perspective.  That baby was responsible for creating the entire universe. That baby brought “light” and that light was the life of men, and yet this dark world did not understand the light.

I will concede that this might be a little too lofty a perspective; unless you read the entire Gospel of John.  Throughout the book, John uses “light” as a metaphor for Truth, and darkness as a metaphor for Evil.  With that in mind, let’s try again:

That baby was full of truth, that truth brings and gives life.  He came into a dark (evil) world, and the inhabitants of that dark world did not understand who the baby was, and for the most part, they rejected Him.

How can we be sure this is correct?

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 1:14

We know all of this because John told us so!  He also mentioned that he was an eye-witness to this One, and that he personally saw who He was (and is).

What shall we conclude from this view?

That baby in the manger was God become flesh. This was no normal birth.

What are we celebrating this Christmas time?  We are celebrating the merger (so to speak) between God and Man, a whole new epoch.  This season, therefore, is not just about parties, entertaining, buying things and amusement.  It really isn’t just “for the children,” it is very much more than all of that.  The Christmas Season marks the day when God began to manifest His ultimate purpose: The redemption of all Mankind to fellowship with Him.

I think that it is safe to say that this time of the year is kind of a big deal. I’d love to hear what you think.

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John Takes a Strategic View

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Don Merritt

B. John’s Introduction  John 1:1-18

The Beginni9ing

John begins his account with the words, “in the beginning” with a very different beginning in mind than we find in Genesis 1:1, for while Genesis begins with the creation, John begins with God alone.  The “God” that John refers to here is first called the Word (logos) God, the uncreated Creator, before the creation of anything… The Word. That “Word” was there first of all… with God; in fact, the Word was and is God.

We throw those terms around in our day, don’t we? “The Word” referring to the Scriptures, and we seem to like to use it to prove our various points in arguments with each other as though the “Word” is our own very precious tool for debating. Yet John, the Apostle of Jesus Christ uses it as a name for Almighty God.

Notice how the Word becomes God, and then in the next verse God becomes “he.” He was with God in the beginning. The Word was with God in the beginning: “The Word” “God” and “He” were all together in the beginning, before anything had been created.

They are One.

Jesus is God’s messenger to mankind, as well as being the embodiment of God’s message (Heb. 1:1-4).  It was by His Word that the universe came into being, and it is by His blood that we may enter into relationship with Him, as told in His Word.  Thus, we may say that the Word is not only God’s person, essence, and power, but that it is one and inseparable from the person of Jesus Christ, who is entirely one with God. Verse 2 is set up as transition in the sense that it begins the move from “what” to “whom”; from “the Word” to “he”: Jesus was there.

Now it becomes clear and unambiguous that this “he” is the one through whom all things have been made.  This is stated positively “all things” and negatively “without him nothing…”  Within Him was life which reminds us of God breathing life into Adam. (Gen. 2:7).  “He” contained life, was its very source, and this essence will be the light of the world.  Life and light are two themes that carry throughout the entire gospel of John, and will become more and more clear as we go on.  For now, suffice it to say that His very essence is “Truth” and that will illuminate a dark world that carries on without either Truth or God’s presence, since fellowship with God had ceased after the entry of rebellion into the world.

We will continue with John’s Introduction next time; see you then!

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Photo of the Week: December 3, 2025

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Don Merritt
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Tis the Season

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Don Merritt

The Christmas Season is one that I may seem to frown on sometimes, as I urge people not to get caught up in the season and forget the reason.

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Actually, the Christmas season can, and should be a wonderful time.  I was struck the other day by just how many cherished memories that I and most everyone have, which are triggered by this season.  You know what I mean, you’re dragging out the Christmas boxes and putting up the decorations and you come across some random object that reminds you of something that happened five years ago that was a great moment.  Or maybe you have family heirlooms in your decoration boxes and you take one of them out and it triggers a childhood memory… or maybe it was a song…

I’ve also noticed lately that when people are talking about their plans, their eyes seem to light up and their mood changes; they become very happy all of a sudden.

Come on, even old Scrooge came around eventually!

What a wonderful time this can be, if we just don’t get so caught up in the busy and crazy aspect of it, that it becomes nothing but stress.  Be of good cheer, don’t worry about the “stuff” and enjoy friends and family.  Who can argue with that?

And, let’s not forget why we are doing all of this in the first place; to remember the birth of the baby in the manger who grew up to be the Savior of all Mankind.

Glad tidings indeed!

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Christmas and Eden

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Don Merritt

Q:  What do Christmas and the Garden of Eden have in common?

A:  Nothing.

…and everything!

Christmas as a celebration, tradition and season have nothing to do with Eden.  Christmas, as in the birth of Jesus Christ, has everything to do with Eden…

When the man and the woman inhabited the Garden of Eden, they lived in perfect fellowship with God.  They had relationship with Him, and we know this because the Genesis account tells of God speaking with them directly.  God talked with them and He walked with them in the cool of the evening; direct relational access between Man and God.  God also gave the man a job to do for Him, to have “dominion” over all the earth, and thus Mankind was involved in God’s purposes as an active partner.  Relationship with purpose is what we call “fellowship.”

Of course, we all know that is not the end of the story, for the man and woman saw fit to defy God and enter into rebellion against Him when they sinned.  We also know that the result of this was that the relationship was severed and their access to God was terminated; they “died.” They were also cast out into a harsh world to fend for themselves; thus, their sin had a sweeping and profound series of consequences. God then began His work to redeem Mankind, to re-establish relationship, and this is the story told by the Old Testament.

When Jesus was born, He was born to play the critical role in completing God’s work of redemption, and by His death on the cross, He paid the price for sin enabling the relationship between Man and God to be restored.  After His sacrifice, for those who are willing, there is once again the possibility of direct access to God. After He arose from the grave, Jesus gave His followers a direct commission to take the good news of His New Covenant to all people, and enjoined them (and us) to get that job done.  In doing so, He gave Mankind a direct role in accomplishing the purposes of God.: Purpose. Thus, we can accurately say that through Jesus Christ God has redeemed mankind to a state of fellowship with Him.

Jesus made it possible for us to have the same relationship status with God that Adam and Eve had back in the Garden of Eden: Fellowship.

Christmas, then, has everything to do with the Garden of Eden.

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The First Christmas Lesson

Posted on December 2, 2025 by Don Merritt
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So, what is Christmas all about?

Christmas is a holiday with a questionable past, but it is rich with meaning for those who wish to find it.  While it is unlikely that Jesus was born on December 25, this is the day that was set aside many centuries ago to celebrate and remember His birth; and an amazing birth it was.

Yet to fully understand the birth of Christ, I think it’s important to begin the story after the resurrection, just before the ascension, in fact…

 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Luke 24:45-49

Understanding this amazing story begins with our minds being opened so that we can understand the Scriptures, for it is the Old Testament Scriptures that told of the coming of the Christ.  They tell of His arrival, and of His purpose.  They tell of the manner and reason for His death, the forgiveness of sin and reestablishment of fellowship between God and Man, and they tell of our mission on this earth which is to take the Good News to all men.

Christmas, then, is the beginning of the last chapter in a story that had been building since the very beginning of time; a story that began even before the earth was created, as we will see in the days ahead.

As we celebrate this season, as we make preparations and gather family together and enjoy ourselves, it is incumbent upon us to bear in mind that the season is not merely about the birth of a baby, but that it is about the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to His people from the very beginning of time, up to and including this very day. The truth of Christmas is all about the eternal purposes of God Himself.  Christmas, therefore, should be much more than celebrating and fun, it should be a time when we redouble our efforts to serve His purpose in our lives.

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The Christmas Story Begins

Posted on December 2, 2025 by Don Merritt

Some time back I mentioned that I was thinking about writing a number of posts on the Gospels, all four of them side-by-side; The Fourfold Gospel, as this used to be called.  I am still not sure how to do this in a blogging format, but I am going ahead with the story of Christ’s birth this month, while experimenting with a fourfold presentation as I go. The funny thing is, I’ve taught this at a university level many times, and I could do it as a You Tube series maybe, but this format is a challenge, which is probably why I haven’t let it go.

Well, wish me luck!

PART 1: Prior to Jesus’ Ministry

A. Luke’s Dedication and Introduction   Luke 1:1-4

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke opens with a formal introduction in the best ancient Greek style, and certainly along with Acts, Luke is written in the most elegant formal Greek, standing out from all other New Testament writings. As he says in his introduction, it is organized along the formal lines of a Greek historian, and in that sense compares favorably to any of the ancient Greek historical texts.

The most important thing for us to take from the introduction is the reason Luke is writing this book; it was so the reader would be certain about the things they were taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and in this, there is a bit of apologetic in Luke’s writing that differs somewhat from the other Gospel authors.  The idea of being “certain” about the things of God is not really a modern idea, for in our times we prefer to say that one cannot ever be entirely certain about anything other than science. Of course, science has found certainty in a great many things which were wrong, although we don’t always like to talk about that.

In any case, Luke wants his readers to be certain, we will be reading, and I hope that our level of certainty will have increased greatly by the time we are finished.

As I mentioned, Luke begins this book with a prelude, he has addressed himself to a man named Theophilus. Sadly, there is no way for us to know for sure who this guy was; Theophilus was a rather common name at the time. It is important for us to note, however that it is a Greek name. This fact has resulted in the widely held belief that Luke wrote his account of Jesus’ ministry for a Greek audience.

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The Big Storm of 2025

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Don Merritt

This past week, I was out of town to spend Thanksgiving with in-laws for the first time since 2019. Some of you may know that, along with She Who Must Be Obeyed and her trusty dog “Chewy”, I moved back to Iowa from Florida last July, where we have lived for the past 5 years. Prior to our Florida adventure, we had traded off with her relatives in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and Christmas, for quite a number of years― thus our little holiday tradition is restored.

Very nice.

We returned home back in Iowa on Friday afternoon, just in time for the storm that began just after midnight on Saturday morning. The snow fell from then until about midday on Sunday, leaving a large amount of snow and ice in its wake.

Understand: I have not shoveled snow in years and we open the season with the Big Storm of 2025…

So, would it have been too much to ask for some easy ones to build up for a big storm, sort of like spring training before the start of a new season…?

So now I ask myself: “Which is better, cleaning up after a Florida Hurricane or a major Midwestern snowstorm?”

I’ve been going round and round in my head about that; it’s a tough one. The weather is sure better after the hurricane is through, clear skies, calm winds, mid 80’s. Yet there is no power, water or internet. Sometimes the power comes back on before the internet does, and for the life of me, I can’t see what the point of having power is, without internet… Yet after the snowstorm, the temperature goes through the floor and it’s unpleasant to work in.

I suppose that in both cases we get through it, nobody died, at least in our area, no one was hurt, and thank God the power didn’t go out. Yes, we have been talking here about giving thanks, haven’t we? Well, this is another time to be thankful, and then it’s back to work.

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God is our strength

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Don Merritt
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“Surely God is my help; 
       the Lord is the one who sustains me.

 Let evil recoil on those who slander me; 
       in your faithfulness destroy them”

Psalm 54:4-5

How easy it is to think that we can handle everything that comes our way… and what folly!

David wrote this in a time of severe trial when his enemies were closing in.  While all of this was going on, he was looking to God for his strength, as we should.  Let’s face it, we may not be running from assassins or murderers, but we may often feel like we are… that’s when we need to remember who sustains us: God.  We need to get over thinking about how great and strong we think we are, and humble ourselves before God, allowing Him to lead us through life.  If we do, we will be sustained through good times and bad, and we might even have fewer worries and fewer trials.

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