Origins

Depiction of the Trinity, Stained Glass Window in the Abbey Church of St. Quiriace, Seine-et-Marne, France, Photo by GFreihalter (CC BY-SA 3.0 Generic)

Human beings seek after origins as part of a greater search for meaning. Not only paleontology, anthropology, and archaeology derive from the need to know where we came from (and how to make sense of the world around us), but philosophy and theology. What – or Who – was the First Cause, the Prime Mover? And why are we here?

Though our answers to those questions may differ, the questions, themselves, are wired into our genes, no less so than the drive to seek out new horizons.

When Moses asked God for His name at the burning bush, God replied, “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex. 3: 14). In other words, God is the uncreated Creator, timeless and changeless. He always was, always is, and always will be. Yet, by disclosing His name to us, God allows us access to Himself.

Jesus boldly and repeatedly claimed the name:

“‘I AM the light of the world’ ”(John 8: 12).

“‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM He…’”(John 8: 28).

“‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM’” (John 8: 58).

“‘I AM the door’ ”(John 10: 9).

“I AM the resurrection and the life’ ”(John 11: 25).

“‘I AM the way, the truth, and the life’ ”(John 14: 6).

The reference was not lost on His audience. Before the Sanhedrin, when asked by the high priest, “‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’” Jesus replied:

“‘I AM. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven’” (Mark 14: 61-62).

Lord Jesus, so often in the rush of daily activities, we lose sight of the fact that You are Sovereign. In our foolishness and self-importance, we place our priorities ahead of Your own.

Before Abraham was the Word. Before the earth – before time, itself – was the Word. How amazing that the Word would have become flesh to dwell among us. How amazing that the Alpha and Omega should have chosen to become Emmanuel.

Amen

READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse  http://www.avoicereclaimed