So then, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name.
John 20.30-31
Many of us have grown up in church and know what it's like to yawn through the motions of the same things on a weekly basis. Something must be done to help us once more feel the awe, the fear, the astonishment, the wonder of the Son of God, begotten from the Father from all eternity. We need refreshment in Jesus reflecting all the glory of God, being the very image of his person, through whom all things were created, upholding the universe by the word of his power.
You can read every fairy tale, every mystery thriller, every ghost story that was written, and you will never find anything so shocking, so strange, so weird, and so spellbinding as the story of the incarnation of the Son of God.
How often have I [John Piper] had repent and say, "God, I am sorry that the stories men have made up stir my emotions, my awe and wonder and admiration and joy, more than your own true story." How easily we dismiss the real living contact between us and the eternal God of the universe.
When Jesus said, "For this purpose I have come into the world" (John 18.37), he said something as crazy and weird and strange and eerie as any statement in science fiction that you have ever read. I pray for the breaking forth of the Spirit of God upon me and you. I pray for the Holy Spirit to break into my experience in a frightening way, to wake me up to the unimaginable reality of God.
One of these days lightning is going to fill the sky from the rising of the sun to its setting, and there is going to appear in the clouds on like a Son of Man with his mighty angels sin flaming fire. And we will see him clearly. Whether from terror or sheer excitement, we will tremble, and we will wonder how we ever lived so long with such a domesticated, harmless Christ.
These things are written that you might believe--really believe--that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came into the world.
This is an excerpt from 'Joy to the World-Daily Readings for Advent' by John Piper.
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