Episode 1087
What Does “Word Made Flesh” Mean Today? John 1:1-14 (Progressive Lectionary, Year C)
A profound exploration of the incarnation of God is central to today's reading from the Gospel of John, wherein the text elucidates the fundamental Christian belief that the divine became flesh and dwelt among humanity. This narrative serves as a poignant reminder that God's presence is not distant or detached but intimately involved in the human experience. The speaker articulates how this profound truth emphasizes the sanctity of everyday spaces, from bustling urban streets to quiet cul-de-sacs, suggesting that all places can be viewed as sacred when God is understood to be present in the midst of our ordinary lives. The notion that faith is not an escape from reality but rather an active engagement with it is paramount; it invites us to recognize the divine in the messiness of life, urging us to embody compassion and presence in our interactions with those who are marginalized or suffering. The concept of light as a metaphorical representation of hope and belonging is further explored. The speaker posits that if the light of God is for everyone, it inherently calls for radical inclusion, advocating for a community that embraces diversity in all its forms—whether it be individuals of varying faiths, genders, or backgrounds. This radical inclusion extends beyond mere acceptance; it mandates that our communities reflect the generosity and love inherent in the divine. As we reflect upon the Gospel’s message, actionable steps are proposed to deepen our commitment to this incarnational theology. Listeners are encouraged to engage with those on the periphery of their lives, to forge connections with individuals who may be experiencing grief, loneliness, or other forms of hardship. Such actions are framed as not only a personal spiritual practice but as a communal liturgy, where our presence becomes a prayer and a means of embodying God's love in the world. This transformative approach to faith invites us to redefine our understanding of worship, emphasizing that the everyday act of being present for one another is, in itself, an expression of divine worship and love.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of God being present in our everyday lives, engaging with the complexities of human existence.
- Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the significance of light representing hope, belonging, and inclusivity for all individuals regardless of their background.
- The discussion delves into the transformative nature of faith, suggesting it should inspire actions of compassion and justice in public life.
- A call to action is presented, urging individuals to form meaningful connections with those who are often marginalized or overlooked in society.
- The concept of incarnation is explored, highlighting that God dwells within the messiness of life, rather than remaining above it.
- Listeners are invited to participate in a community-building exercise, fostering relationships with those in need of support or companionship.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
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Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible study guide, the ABC123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading and we're reading from.
Speaker B:The Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1 through 14 from the Message the Life Light.
Speaker B:This was the reading for Christmas Day.
Speaker B:The Word was first the Word present to God.
Speaker B:God present to the Word.
Speaker B:The Word was God in readiness for God from day one.
Speaker B:Everything was created through Him.
Speaker B:Nothing, not one thing came into being without him.
Speaker B:What came into existence was life and the life was light to live by.
Speaker B:The life light blazed out of the darkness.
Speaker B:The darkness couldn't put it out.
Speaker B:There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the life light.
Speaker B:He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in.
Speaker B:John was not himself the light.
Speaker B:He was there to show the way to the light.
Speaker B:The life light was the real thing.
Speaker B:Every person entering life he brings into light.
Speaker B:He was in the world.
Speaker B:The world was there through him and yet the world didn't even notice.
Speaker B:He came to his own people, but they didn't want him.
Speaker B:But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said he made to be their true selves, their child of God selves.
Speaker B:Those who are the God begotten.
Speaker B:Not blood begotten, not flesh begotten, not sex begotten.
Speaker B:The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.
Speaker B:We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one of a kind glory like father, like son, Generous inside and out.
Speaker B:True from start to finish.
Speaker B:Well friends, thank you for joining me here on this very special reading of the Scriptures for this very day.
Speaker B:The text is from the Gospel of John from the Message and it says here the Word became flesh and blood.
Speaker B:It moved into the neighborhood.
Speaker B:I love that line because it just shows about the reality of God's incarnation, that is God becoming a human.
Speaker B:It's Christmas.
Speaker B:It's the Christmas story.
Speaker B:Yes, but it also sounds like an ordinary Tuesday afternoon when you're tired and trying to remember why hope matters.
Speaker B:Just a little bit about me so you can know where I'm coming from.
Speaker B:I've been married to the same wonderful woman for 34 years.
Speaker B:We've raised three adult children.
Speaker B:We've got an amazing They've got their own amazing lives going on.
Speaker B:In fact, they have blessed us with two great granddaughters.
Speaker B:Great granddaughters.
Speaker B:Not great granddaughters, but great as in wonderful granddaughters.
Speaker B:And one of the things I love to do is laugh with my granddaughters.
Speaker B:And those belly laughs really are holy moments because I'm kind of a dad joke type of guy.
Speaker B:And my wife and I travel as we can, especially to places like national parks and where we can hike the woods and the parks.
Speaker B:I'm a big fan of Indianapolis Area teams, Colts, Pacers, Fever.
Speaker B:I also host a weekly podcast for cancer impacted folks to help them to cope with hope and humor.
Speaker B:So when I say statements like light into the darkness, I mean it as someone who's had some of these experiences as well.
Speaker B:So let's sit down for a moment with this passage from the Gospel of John, first chapter, the a life light blazed out of the darkness and the darkness couldn't put it out.
Speaker B:He made those who he trusted to be their true selves, their true child of God itself.
Speaker B:Then the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.
Speaker B:Love this.
Speaker B:This is the gospel that puts on running shoes or sneakers and gets involved.
Speaker B:Let's talk about some points to ponder for from a progressive point of view.
Speaker B:The first is that God shows up with us and not apart from us.
Speaker B:Incarnation, which means God is with us.
Speaker B:But it also means that God doesn't hover above human messiness.
Speaker B:God is in the mess.
Speaker B:God dwells in it.
Speaker B:If God moved us into the neighborhood, then every street, whether they're quiet cul de sacs or some loud urban city block, is sacred space.
Speaker B:Hospitals, school pickup lines, food pantries, youth sports, oncology, waiting rooms, they're all sanctuaries.
Speaker B:And this pushes away they're all the real life stuff is what I'm getting at, including the poverty and the bad things too.
Speaker B:This is all places where God shows up and this pushes us away from escapist religion and moves us towards compassion to whatever situation we find ourselves in.
Speaker B:Faith isn't about getting out, it's about showing up.
Speaker B:The second Point to ponder is light for everyone means belonging for everyone.
Speaker B:John says the life light is the real thing.
Speaker B:Who brings every person into light.
Speaker B:Not someone, not the approved.
Speaker B:Progressive Christianity hears this as a call to radical inclusion of all people.
Speaker B:Immigrants, people of different faiths, LGBTQ folks, all of our neighbors, those living with illness, those carrying grief.
Speaker B:If the light is for all, then our communities, liturgies and policies should be too.
Speaker B:Child of God Selves are not defined by bloodline status, gender, gender or credentials.
Speaker B:Your worth isn't achieved, it's received.
Speaker B:Another point to ponder is this becoming our true selves is a justice shaped journey.
Speaker B:He made them to be their true selves is what it says here.
Speaker B:That's the spiritual formation.
Speaker B:It's also liberation systems that dim people's lives.
Speaker B:Light like racism, misogyny, transphobia, poverty, they contradict incarnation.
Speaker B:Progressive faith doesn't stop at personal piety.
Speaker B:It insists that public life reflect God's generosity inside and out.
Speaker B:When I'm out with my wife hiking on a trail in a park, I'm reminded that creation itself is a part of the story.
Speaker B:The Word is made up of all things and the caring of our creation.
Speaker B:Forest Neighborhoods is faithful worship.
Speaker B:Light isn't abstract.
Speaker B:It looks like equity, accessibility and repair.
Speaker B:Let's talk about an action step that you can take.
Speaker B:Practice incarnational proximity with one neighbor, somebody in your community or neighborhood or your church or your workplace.
Speaker B:And choose one person or group on the edges of your normal routine.
Speaker B:Someone grieving, someone new to town.
Speaker B:A caregiver, a LGBTQ teenager, a cancer patient, a single parent.
Speaker B:Move a little closer.
Speaker B:Talk to them, text them Facebook message, Drop off a meal, invite them on a walk.
Speaker B:Sit in a waiting room with them.
Speaker B:Ask how can I be with you this week?
Speaker B:The neighborhood is liturgy.
Speaker B:Your presence is the prayer.
Speaker B:We will come back and have a prayer here in just a moment.
Speaker B:But I want you to know that we do have a gift for you.
Speaker B:A Christmas gift, if you will.
Speaker B:It's our Bible study.
Speaker B:We call it the ABC123 Bible study method.
Speaker B:You can head over to our website, voiceofgoddaily.com that's where you can pick it up.
Speaker B:Free for you.
Speaker B:It's a gift.
Speaker B:Let's pray.
Speaker B:God who moved into our neighborhood, move into our day, into our emails, into our commutes, the appointments, the quiet longings and the loud fears.
Speaker B:Shine where worry gathers, especially people facing difficulties like cancer, caregiving or grief.
Speaker B:Help us become our true child of God selves.
Speaker B:Brave, kind and honest.
Speaker B:Stretch our welcome so it reaches everyone who's been told they don't belong.
Speaker B:Give us feet to go the extra block, hands that share and voices that speak for justice.
Speaker B:And when the night feels long remind us the life light blazes and the darkness cannot put it out.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
