John 1:1-18
John 1 is one of the most theological, Christological passages in the whole Bible.
John 1 introduces us to Jesus Christ from a more cosmic point of view.
John 1 begins by introducing us to a character called the Word.
13 things about the Word:
- The Word was at the beginning (1:1)
- The Word was with God at the beginning (1:1)
- The Word was God at the beginning (1:1)
The Word who was with (somehow distinct) God was God, (the same as) God. With God, was God. With God, was God. - The Word is a person – ‘he,’ 'him' pronouns and person activity (1:2)
- The Word is Creator God at the beginning (1:3)
When we read in Genesis 1:3, “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light,” that was the Word speaking. And when we read in Genesis 1:26, “God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,’” that was the Word speaking to God. There we see evidence of this with God, was God from the first chapter of the Bible. - The Word is where life comes from (1:4)
- The Word is Light (1:4-8)
John introduces here the theme of light in darkness, physical and spiritual. Plenty of people who see with their physically eyes are walking in darkness and even prefer it. The Light that gave light to the world is the Word who can enlighten the soul who walks in darkness. - The Word came into the world (1:9-13)
Many people believe in a God who is distant, who looks down on his creatures from a transcendent detached perspective. The Word with God who was God turns this notion on its head. He came into the world. He positioned himself right next to us. He joined us.
That doesn’t mean we understood him or received him. Many didn’t. Even the religious experts who had faithful taught that God was coming someday to save his people didn’t recognize or receive him.
Many still don’t. They sit in buildings dedicated to his name and don’t. They wear jewelry made to memorialise him and don’t recognize or receive him. They live in societies influenced by his Gospel and refuse to see him.
Ah, but when they do…, they become God’s own children. Born into God’s own family by faith. - The Word came into the world in the flesh (1:14)
In case you are tempted to think that the Word is like some other religious legend of a god making a visit to earth, like Zeus or Krishna or Loki or Lú, John corrects that. The Word became flesh and lived out his life with us. He got inside our skin. Took on the image of his own image bearers. The Word who was with God became God with us. Emmanuel, so that we could see and hear and touch him (1 John 1:1). - The Word is full of glory of God (1:14)
- The Word is the Only unique Son of the Father (1:14)
John introduces a term that will be used extensively throughout, the Son of God the Father. The unique, one and only Son. Not the offspring of, not generated from, not birthed out of. The Son in position, in relation to, in submission to, in equality with the Father. The same kind of being. The same nature of being. The eternal son full of glory, grace and truth. - The Word is Jesus Christ (1:15-17)
Up to this point, John’s readers did not have a name. They had the name of John the Baptist who was not the life, not the light, not the Messiah, not the Son. Then another name, Moses of the Exodus. The Lawgiver, the founder of the covenant, the model of faith, the peerless prophet for the faithful followers of the I AM God. He also was not the life, not the light, not the Messiah, not the Son. Even his glorious covenant gift was not as good as the one coming with the Word made flesh. Moses gave the Law, but… Jesus.
There’s the revelation we’ve been waiting for. Jesus gave us grace. The glory of the Father full of grace. God wants us to experience his generous heart. He wants us to have heavenly blessings we can’t even express. He wants for us benefits we haven’t dreamed of. So, he sent us that generous, overflowing, superabundant grace in Jesus Christ. When the Word of God, the with God was God God who made all things was made flesh, he brought to us, among us, the grace of God. God’s goodness that does not depend on our observance of the religious laws. God’s acceptance that does not hinge on our behaviour. God’s welcome that is completely unearned.
And truth. - The Word revealed the Father (1:18)
The revelations of God had been partial up to then (Hebrews 1:1-3). Now the Word of God in the flesh was showing us the Father in all his glory. Speculation is over. If you want to know the truth about God, look at the eternal Word of God in the Incarnate Son, Jesus Christ.