In the Beginning…the Word

John 1:1–18 (NKJV)

Many passages of the Gospels are parallel, telling the same stories from a slightly different perspective. Beginning today, the blog will examine those passages that were not included in Matthew, but were in the other three. They will be addressed in a chronological order, taking the reader from the beginning of the story of the gospel to the end. Today, the gospel in microcosm is presented in the prologue to the gospel of John.

1 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 nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:1-5

This passage begins with a recounting of the eternal role of Jesus Christ in the history of the world and all of creation. He is the Word, past, present, and future, for eternity. He is God. He was part of the act of creation of the earth and all life. He is so awesome, yet man often does not comprehend His awesomeness.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:6-13

John was sent as a forerunner of Christ, to announce Him to the world, which he did. Jesus was the true light, yet His own did not receive Him. Those who did receive Him, however, also received adoption into the family of God. Belief in Jesus brought the new birth.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

John 1:14-18

The Word became flesh…. This is the ultimate expression of the depth of love and sacrifice that Jesus gave in order to redeem His creation. He laid aside His glory for a time and walked in humanity, feeling our pain and suffering temptation in order to show us the way. He is still God here, and is powerful beyond measure, greater than any of us. Yet, Jesus was a man, identifying with the plight of all creation and extending grace to His weak and needy people. He declared the truth and life unto mankind, and revealed God to the degree that man could receive Him. This is our blessing and our opportunity, to know Christ and receive Him in faith. He was in the beginning (and before). He will be forevermore and eternity. He is today. Receive Him!

Artwork from http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2018/01/what-does-it-mean-for-jesus-to-be.html

LIVE@5 – December 6, 2021