The mediator is the message
“For God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets in many different ways before our time began, but now in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son, the one God created in heaven and earth and appointed heir of all things. In the Son is the glory of his Father, because he is completely made in the image of God” (Hebrews 1:1–3).
Social scientists use words like “modern”, “post-modern” or even “post-post-modern” to describe the time in which we live. They also recommend different techniques for communicating with each generation.
Whatever time we live in, real communication is only possible when both parties reach beyond speaking and listening, to the level of understanding. Speaking and hearing are means to an end. The goal of communication is real understanding. Just because someone was able to speak and listen to someone and thus fulfill their duty does not necessarily mean that these people have understood each other. And if they did not really understand each other, they did not really communicate, they just talked and listened without understanding.
It's different with God. God not only listens to us and speaks to us about his intentions, he communicates with understanding. He gives us the Bible first. This is not any book, it is God's self-revelation to us. Through them he communicates to us who he is, how much he loves us, how much gifts he gives, how we can get to know him and how to best organize our lives. The Bible is a guide to the fulfilled life God intended for His children. No matter how great the Bible, it is not the highest form of communication.
The ultimate way God communicates is through personal revelation through Jesus Christ. We learn about it from the Bible. God communicates his love by becoming one of us, sharing humanity with us, our sufferings, our temptations and our sorrows. Jesus took our sins upon Himself, forgave them all, and prepared a place for us with Him at God's side. Even Jesus' name conveys God's love for us. Jesus means: God is salvation. Another name applied to Jesus, "Immanuel," means "God with us."
Jesus is not only the Son of God, but also the "Word of God," who reveals the Father and the Father's will to us. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we ourselves have seen his divine glory, the glory of God only of his one and only Son. In him God's forgiving love and faithfulness have come to us." (Johannes 1, 14).
According to God's will, "everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will live forever." (Johannes 6, 40).
God himself took the initiative for us to get to know him. And he invites us to communicate with him personally by reading the scriptures, praying, and fellowshiping with others who also know him. He already knows us - isn't it time to get to know him better?
by Joseph Tkach
