Our church vision for 2022
Chiasma (also known as a chiasmas) is defined as an anatomical intersection or decussation. In layperson terms (or according to Wikipedia), it’s a “reverseal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses.” For this year’s vision, we looked to the chiasm in John 1:1-18 to find our focus for the year. Let’s dive into John 1:1-18.
The Word of the Father (verses 1-2 and verse 18)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning… No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
The passage begins and ends with the idea of the Word, also known as Jesus Christ who is described in the introductory verses as (1) existing from the very beginning, (2) with God, and (3) also God himself. This idea is mirrored in verse 18 where Jesus is described as (1) God’s only son, (2) himself God, (3) in closest relationsihp with the Father, and (4) making God known. When we look into the second layer, the author then directs our attention to the Word and Creation.
The Word and creation (verse 3 and 17)
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made… For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
The author says that it was only through Christ that Creation came into existence in verse three. To be clear, Jesus didn’t create God but that everything “that has been made [by God]” was made through Jesus. Thus, God is not included in the things which are made. This is then mirrored by a different type of creation in verse 17: the new creation. This new creation, the community of believers, can only be made new through the grace and truth that can only come through Christ.
God’s grace to mankind (verses 4-5 and 16)
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
In this third layer, the author references ‘life’ in verses four and five; life that is referring not simply to our physical lives but our spiritual lives. As we know from Genesis, humans were created to live eternally with God. But after the fall, we encountered spiritual death i.e., separation from God. In spiritual death, there is no life and in turn there would be no light. Until Jesus came to Earth. Jesus is aptly named by the author as the “light of all mankind” as it is only through Jesus that our spirits can be resurrected and be given eternal life. In turn, this life is the light that overcomes the darkness/sin. This is God’s grace, and the author references this grace again in verse 16, stating that we are receiving an abundance of grace from a God who time and time again showed grace to his people.
The witness, John the Baptist (verses 6-8 and verse 15)
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe… John testified concerning him
In the fourth layer, the author (also named John) references another John the Baptist, first in verses six to eight and again later in verse 15. John the Baptist was sent to ‘point’ towards Jesus and act as a witness to testify for Jesus as God and testify to the validity of all of author’s previous claims regarding the person of Jesus.
The incarnation of the Word (verses 9-11 and verse 14)
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Moving to the second to last layer, the author then brings our attention to the incarnation of the Word. That is, how Jesus became human or “the Word became flesh.” The word ‘flesh’ used here means dwelling, and in its direct translation translates to “make a tent.” This is in reference to the tabernacle, the giant tent that God instructed the Israelites to make after leaving Egypt. This was to ensure that God could dwell among them wherever they went in the wilderness. In the same way, Jesus came to be the tabernacle, “God among us” but in a more tangible, meaningful and longer lasting way.
And now we come to the crux of the message in John 1:1-18. The middle point of the chiasm and the inspiration for our church’s vision for 2022.
Salvation in the Word (verses 12-13)
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
In this last layer, the author points us directly to salvation that can only be found in the Word. God’s love for us is greater than our sin that he would willing give the gift of salvation to his enemies (Romans 5:10). Now, all who receive and believe in his name become his children. But what does it mean to believe?
Our vision for 2022
The Greek translation of faith means to believe, that is to trust and commit our lives to God. But how do we do that? What does that look like in our lives? It’s easy to believe in God if it’s like believing that gravity exists or the Earth is round. If it’s this kind of ‘believe’ then we can say that even the demons believe in God (James 2:19). To believe, as in to have faith, means we must obey God’s commands. Elsewhere in the book of John, it says “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. (John 8:31)” We’ll dive deeper into what it looks like to obey as we explore the Gospel of John this year, but let’s pray that God would illuminate himself to us and make within us a real desire to trust and commit to him.
Father God,
Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus and the gift of salvation that can only come through him. We pray that this year, we would trust in You and commit to You. Forgive us for our past transgressions and disobedience. Mold our hearts after Yours and give us a spirit of humility and obedience as we take on 2022.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen