Daily Office Readings:
Psalm 148 | Exodus 12:1–14 | John 1:1–18
Introduction
The Psalmist calls for all humanity to praise the Lord! Exodus 12 celebrates Passover. John describes Jesus as the Logos or the Word. Most Christians consider God’s Word to be the Bible, but I don’t see that, for John 1 tells us the Word of God is Jesus. Jesus reveals who God is to us. What is the power of this belief?
The Word Is Not a Book—The Word Is a Person
John opens his Gospel with language that echoes the very beginning of creation:
“In the beginning was the Word…”
But then he takes us somewhere deeper:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
This is the turning point. The Word—the Logos—is not merely written or spoken. The Word is living, breathing, and present in Jesus.
The Bible is sacred and meaningful, but John is pointing us beyond pages to a Person. Scripture tells the story—but Jesus is the revelation.
The Power of This Belief
1. Faith Becomes Relationship, Not Just Instruction
If the Word is only a book, faith can feel like learning rules or mastering ideas.
But if the Word is Jesus, then faith becomes:
- a relationship to enter
- a presence to encounter
God is not simply speaking at us—
God is with us.
2. Truth Becomes Something We Live, Not Just Believe
John writes:
“Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Truth is no longer just about having the right answers.
It becomes a way of living—seen in:
- compassion
- forgiveness
- humility
- love
Jesus doesn’t just teach truth. He embodies it.
3. Scripture Becomes a Guide, Not the Destination
When we see Jesus as the Word, the Bible takes its proper place—not diminished, but clarified.
It becomes:
- a witness to the living Word
- a story that leads us to Him
Instead of asking only, “What does this say?”
we begin asking, “How does this reveal the heart of Jesus?”
4. God Is Most Clearly Seen as Love
John tells us:
“No one has ever seen God; the only Son…has made Him known.”
If we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus:
- how He treats the outcast
- how He responds to failure
- how He loves without condition
If you see God as love—
you are seeing through the lens Jesus came to give.
5. Worship Becomes a Living Response
Psalm 148 calls all creation to praise.
Exodus 12 reminds us of deliverance through the Passover.
In Jesus, these come together.
The One who created all things…
and the One who delivers…
is now among us.
Praise is no longer distant or ritual alone.
It becomes a response to a God who has come near.
A Front Porch Reflection
It feels like the difference between reading letters from someone… and finally meeting them face to face.
The letters matter.
They tell the story.
They prepare the heart.
But when the person arrives—everything changes.
That is what John is telling us.
The Word is no longer just spoken.
The Word has come to sit with us—right here, on the front porch of our lives.
Closing Prayer
Lord of all creation,
You who are praised by sun and moon,
by mountains and trees,
and by the quiet breath within us—
Thank You for not remaining distant,
but coming near in Jesus, the living Word.
Teach us not just to read about You,
but to know You.
Not just to speak truth,
but to live it in love.
Let Your life take flesh in us—
in our words,
in our choices,
in our relationships.
And in this broken world,
make us reflections of Your grace and truth.
Amen.
A Blessing from the Porch
May you not only hear the Word…
but recognize Him when He walks beside you.
And may your life—
in all its ordinary moments—
become a quiet echo
of His grace and truth.
The Curious Pilgrim 
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