John 1:1-18 reads

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. ⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

The 1st Commandment reads

You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things

Meditation: God says that we are to have no other gods, meaning we our heart is to trust in Him alone, delight in Him alone, and worship nothing else on this earth instead of Him. Don't we do this though? Do we not erect new idols everyday that consume our lives? Do we not worship the almighty dollar, fear death itself, and love our family and friends more than we love God. The first commandment, because we are sinful and unclean, reveals our idol infested heart and calls us to repent of trusting in the things of this world. 

The 1st commandment also tells us that God is the one God for us. It commands us to have no idols. The Law itself does not comfort us, however we also have the Gospel proclaimed to us that tells us that God is the God of mercy and grace for us God says, "I command you to have no other gods, because I am the only God you need. I am the one that saves you, protects you, and will do all the work for your eternal life." As it says in John 1, "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." In Jesus, we do not fall under the wrath of God. No. We receive grace, meaning we are forgiven instead of punished for our sins. In Christ, our crucified and risen lord, we receive eternal life rather than everlasting death. In Jesus, we have forgiveness for our sins, eternal life, and salvation. In Jesus, we are adopted as children of God, not according to our will and work, but according to His grace and mercy. We have on God, the God who died that we may live, and who lives and reigns for all eternity in order that we may live forever also. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you.  I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog