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John begins his gospel unlike all of the other gospel writers who introduced their writings in a narrative form, placing Jesus in a historical context. Matthew and Luke begin with events surrounding the birth of Christ while Mark provides the significance of John the Baptist's ministry as the one who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. How is John's gospel distinct? Instead of placing Jesus in a historical setting, John opts to convince his readers that Jesus Christ is actually God manifest in human flesh (incarnate) making Him fully God and fully man. Fast-forwarding to the end of John's gospel provides more insight as to why John begins his gospel in this fashion, "... these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (20:31). If this is John's stated purpose, he must persuade his readers that Jesus' identity is none other than the God-man, who possessed both human and divine natures, but was also the One sent to be the Savior of the world (Messiah).
In order to verify Jesus' identity, John uses wording which will relate with both his Jewish and Greek readers, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (1:1-2). According to John 1:14, the identity of the Word is the One who "became human flesh and dwelt among us...," which is Jesus Christ. To the Jew, word (logos in Greek) meant speaking or a message, which John used to illustrate the idea that Jesus Christ was God's greatest revelation (message) of Himself to mankind. To the Greek, word took on more of a philosophical meaning indicating wisdom or something to do with the mind; in other words, the existence of Jesus taught people who God was because He was God in human flesh. Pulling from both Jewish and Greek culture, John used Word to reference a Person (Jesus Christ) not just a concept.
From his very first words, John provides some characteristics of the Word, Jesus Christ. He existed in the beginning, making Him eternal (1:1a, 2). He existed with God, making Him to be in perfect fellowship with God (1:1b). He was God, which establishes that all the divine attributes ascribed to God also belong to Him (1:1c). He was the creator of all things and carried out God's plan in bringing the universe into existence (1:3, see also Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2). John also emphatically declares that "in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (1:4-5). All physical (temporary) as well as spiritual (eternal) life belongs to Jesus Christ. Jesus gave physical life through His creation, but He also provides spiritual life to all those who turn from darkness (sin) and believe in the light (Jesus). There is also a greater implication about the light and the darkness. Satan is in control of the darkness (evil and sin) while Jesus is in control of the light (good and right), but the power of Satan cannot overcome the light of Jesus.
John then informs his readers that a man named John the Baptist (1:6) had come to prepare the way for the Light (Jesus) by calling people to repentance and faith (1:7-8, 15). Although John bore witness to Jesus, many rejected Him and refused to receive the light which was given to the world by God (1:9-11). John details many illustrations of those who reject Jesus as the Savior in John 1-12. However, there were some who chose to acknowledge and believe in Jesus as the true Light of the world and to those He "gave the right to become children of God" (1:12).
Through Jesus Christ, all have received grace and a visible witness of God's love for mankind (1:16). Even though the law of Moses brought the knowledge of sin and ultimately condemnation of the sinner (1:17a; see also Galatians 3:24), Jesus Christ brought hope for salvation to the world (1:17b). In seeing the works and ministry of Jesus, we have seen God (1:18).
Dear God, thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am truly grateful that through Him I am able to know You and receive the salvation offered to all who will repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
In order to verify Jesus' identity, John uses wording which will relate with both his Jewish and Greek readers, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (1:1-2). According to John 1:14, the identity of the Word is the One who "became human flesh and dwelt among us...," which is Jesus Christ. To the Jew, word (logos in Greek) meant speaking or a message, which John used to illustrate the idea that Jesus Christ was God's greatest revelation (message) of Himself to mankind. To the Greek, word took on more of a philosophical meaning indicating wisdom or something to do with the mind; in other words, the existence of Jesus taught people who God was because He was God in human flesh. Pulling from both Jewish and Greek culture, John used Word to reference a Person (Jesus Christ) not just a concept.
From his very first words, John provides some characteristics of the Word, Jesus Christ. He existed in the beginning, making Him eternal (1:1a, 2). He existed with God, making Him to be in perfect fellowship with God (1:1b). He was God, which establishes that all the divine attributes ascribed to God also belong to Him (1:1c). He was the creator of all things and carried out God's plan in bringing the universe into existence (1:3, see also Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2). John also emphatically declares that "in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (1:4-5). All physical (temporary) as well as spiritual (eternal) life belongs to Jesus Christ. Jesus gave physical life through His creation, but He also provides spiritual life to all those who turn from darkness (sin) and believe in the light (Jesus). There is also a greater implication about the light and the darkness. Satan is in control of the darkness (evil and sin) while Jesus is in control of the light (good and right), but the power of Satan cannot overcome the light of Jesus.
John then informs his readers that a man named John the Baptist (1:6) had come to prepare the way for the Light (Jesus) by calling people to repentance and faith (1:7-8, 15). Although John bore witness to Jesus, many rejected Him and refused to receive the light which was given to the world by God (1:9-11). John details many illustrations of those who reject Jesus as the Savior in John 1-12. However, there were some who chose to acknowledge and believe in Jesus as the true Light of the world and to those He "gave the right to become children of God" (1:12).
Through Jesus Christ, all have received grace and a visible witness of God's love for mankind (1:16). Even though the law of Moses brought the knowledge of sin and ultimately condemnation of the sinner (1:17a; see also Galatians 3:24), Jesus Christ brought hope for salvation to the world (1:17b). In seeing the works and ministry of Jesus, we have seen God (1:18).
Dear God, thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am truly grateful that through Him I am able to know You and receive the salvation offered to all who will repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
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