In the Beginning

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”. John  1:1-4

This is one of the most well-known scriptures. During a bible study with my children I explained this verse using a box of cereal typifying the Word; The cereal on the shelf, the cereal in the bowl, and the cereal consumed.

–The cereal on the shelf. Have you ever seen a child in the cereal aisle of a grocery store, full of all the cereal their hearts can desire?  For a child, it is an aww inspiring moment with just one thing standing in their way. The cereal that they desire, is typically high up out of reach. It signifies that the Word existed in the beginning, up out of reach until purchased for a price. That same Word, was spoken, bringing everything into existence; “Let there be…” Genesis 1.

 “In the beginning was the Word… All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3

–The cereal in the bowl. For a child it is exciting to have it purchased, taken home with them, prepared and poured into their bowl.  It signifies that the Word now has a relationship with us because it was purchased for us. It no longer only exists on the shelf but now it is with us.

“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew 26:14–15 KJV.

Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come…Now this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.  I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:1-5 NIV.

“…and the Word was with God… The same was in the beginning with God”. John 1:1-2

–The cereal consumed. For a child, finally consuming what they had desired is both satisfying and fulfilling.  Why? Because, not only do they have what they desired, but they also received it on their level.  Based on their level/age of maturity, it can mean the difference between being served in a kiddie bowl or a grown-up bowl, which for a child, can make all the difference on whether or not they consume the food and possibly even the type of attitude/spirit they consume it with. It signifies the acceptance of Jesus Christ into our lives of which there is no greater connection than when a relationship is not just with you (belief), but is also in you (received), and therefore one with you.  When Jesus is in us, we can produce the fruits of his spirit because we function in him; “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” Acts 17:28

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

Jesus said, “I and my Father are one… believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” John 10:30-38.

“…and the Word was God… In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John  1:1-4

G.M.