Steven S Veach

Previous Entry

This is the first day I am working through my devotions, so there is nothing to review.

The Text

1 Ὃ ἦν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα, καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς.

Ἀπλῶς (aplōs) Peshat (פְּשָׁט) (Literal Meaning)

1. That which was from the beginning, what we heard, saw with our own eyes, what we have beheld, what we’ve touched, and what we’ve touched with our hands concerning the word of life.

Ἀλληγορία (allēgoria) Remez (רֶמֶז) (Hinted Meaning)

1. In the beginning – The primordial essence of creation.
2. Beheld – more than simply seeing. To possess the substance of a thing or person. To understand it in its comprehensive nature.
3. Word of life – The fundamental essence responsible for life, germination. Not Biogenesis being terrestrial or Abiogenesis being in denial but καλοῦντος τὰ μὴ ὄντα ὡς ὄντα (Ro 4:17).

Διδασκαλία (didaskalia) Derash (דְּרַשׁ) (Homiletical Meaning)

1. We have a greater witness in those attested by miracles and the confirmation of prophecy fulfilled.
2. Jesus, the word of life, incarnate God, creator, progenitor of all  and everything, has manifested himself to us through the NT writers.
3. The testimony of Jesus and God has been confirmed by the surer word of prophecy and attested to by the apostles. They are the foundation on which we establish our faith.

Μυστικός (mystikos) Sod (סוֹד) (Mystical Meaning)

1. Jesus is the central figure, being, operator, procurer of bene elohim. This is the grand purpose of our creation.

Κατοπτρίζομαι ((katoptrizomai) Contemplate and Reflect

1. Reflections: This is the initiation of everything. It is what was called “before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:20). It is the congential substance of not only our relality but the reality we do not see or know, but for the hints of it in the divine message. It is beyond Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning” for this was most likely not the initial point of creation but the biproduct of some known and undefined reconstruction. Yet, for us, it is the beginning and it was the creation of our narrative (Ps. 102:25; Is. 40:21; [John 1:1–3; Heb. 1:10).
2. Main Takeaway: God is not only in control but he is the progeniter, the initiator, the great and mysterious and terrifying spark that has launched and still maintains and sustains all life. And he has done all of this for a unique and special purpose that we cannot begin to comprehend.
3. Pracitical Resolution: I’m going to continue with this daily devotional/spiritual discipline and get it down into the 30-45 minute span. I’m not going to be legalistic in the book order I read in or if I’m even going to read in order. I might skip around alot. I will be trying to remain in full books if I can.

Next Session:

1. Next session I will meditate on 1 John 1:2.

Prayers:

Note: These are privately posted to my blog and not available to the public.

Benediction:

“Now [may] the God of peace himself sanctify me completely; and my whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who calls you is faithful and is willing to do it” (1 Th 5:23-24).

Amen…