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| A Study of John 1:1-14 | |
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| This study contains Greek or Hebrew words. They will
appear as scrambled letters enclosed in <brackets> unless you have the appropriate
fonts installed on your computer. See the Information
about this web site page for more information. John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. Verse 14 makes it clear who John is calling "The Word," when he wrote, "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." Jesus was the one who became flesh and lived among us, the father’s only son. So what does verse 1 tell us about Jesus? Three things: first, John calls Jesus "the Word." When we think of the word of God, we think of the written word, the Bible. But here John presents Jesus as the spoken word of God. Jesus came to give to man the words from God the father. As he said in John 14:10, "Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does his work through me." This is why God sent his son to earth: to take on our frail, human form, to speak to us one on one so we can know that he understands what we go through every day in our human existence. Jesus speaks his words of comfort and truth to us every day. Are we listening for his words, or are we too busy to spend time hearing his message in our heart? Second, John tells us that the word was with God: Jesus was with God the Father before he came down here to dwell on earth. Now this may be difficult for our human mind to comprehend, but we should realize that our limited earthly perception may not be able to fully understand spiritual truth. John will expand on this thought more in verses 3 and 4. Third, Jesus was in the beginning. He was not brought into existence when Mary gave him birth. Verse 1 clearly tells us that Jesus was in the beginning. The first two Greek words in verse 1, < en arxh> en arche in the beginning, are identical to the first two words in Genesis 1:1 of the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, which was in common use when John wrote his gospel. In other words, Genesis 1:1 tells us "In the beginning God" and John 1:1 tells us, "In the beginning the Son of God." It seems John purposely used these words to emphasize the deity of Christ. This is why he wrote at the end of verse 1, "and the Word was God." Jesus is fully God. Somehow God also caused him to be fully man. There is a title of a Christmas song called God/Man. This is exactly what Jesus was. He was God here on earth to convey to us the Father’s love and concern for us — so that we could draw close to him. And he was also man. He was tested and tempted as we are, but without sin. He knows what we go through. He understands our weakness and our human frailty. And that’s why he can reach out to us in love and compassion — because he truly knows the struggles we have to face each day. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia comments on the Greek < logoj> logos which means the Word, "Here the author makes three distinct affirmations: (i) "In the beginning was the Word." The evangelist carries back his history of Our Lord to a point prior to all temporal things. ...the Logos was existent when the world began to be. When as yet nothing was, the Logos was. ... (ii) "The Word was with God." Here His personal existence is more specifically defined. He stands distinct from, yet in eternal fellowship with, God. ... (iii) "The Word was God." He is not merely related eternally, but actually identical in essence with God. The notion of inferiority is emphatically excluded and the true Deity of the Word affirmed. In these three propositions we ascend from His eternal existence to His distinct personality and thence to His substantial Godhead. All that God is the Logos is. Identity, difference, communion are the three phases of the Divine relationship." John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. This verse is clearly teaching us that Jesus was back there with God the Father at the beginning of creation. The son was right there in Genesis 1:1 where it says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." This is why Genesis 1:26 tells us, "Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness....’ " The words "us" and "our" are referring to God the Father and Jesus the Son working together in the creation of the world. As Matthew Poole wrote in 1690, "...nothing that was made, neither the heavens nor the earth, neither things visible nor invisible, were made without him." If our only thoughts of Jesus is as the baby in the manger and the meek Savior who was beaten and crucified on the cross, then we don’t have a complete understanding of the Son of God. He is also the Creator of the universe. Paul in Romans 14:11 tells us that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And in Revelation 1:13-17, John had a vision of Jesus, "and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last.’ " So although Jesus was led to the cross as a meek lamb to pay the price for our sins, he is also the almighty, all-powerful creator of the universe. The creator of the universe controls all the forces of the world. And yet he lives inside our heart and walks beside us helping us along the way. What are we afraid of? Why do we fear? The all-powerful Jesus is right here beside us taking care of us. If he created everything in the cosmos, can’t we trust him with our problems of today? John 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. In him was life. What a wonderful statement. Do we want to live our life to the fullest? Then seek Jesus, for in him is life. His life illuminates our path and brightens our soul. He is our light. His light will chase away our darkness. What kind of a life are you living? Do you struggle with problems and worries? Are you weak and defeated? Do you feel overwhelmed and in darkness? Stop trying to live your life your own way. Allow Jesus to become your life, and he will give you his light. MacDonald comments on the phrase, "in him was life" — "This does not simply mean that He possessed life, but that He was and is the source of life. The word here includes both physical and spiritual life. When we were born, we received physical life. When we are born again, we receive spiritual life. Both come from Him." John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. his verse is better expressed in the New American Standard Bible, "And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." This is the sad testimony of the world. The Son of God dwelled among us, and is still walking to and fro searching men’s hearts, but mankind is in darkness. They did not understand who Jesus was when he came to earth 2000 years ago, and they still don’t comprehend Jesus’ message today. They are in darkness. Jesus’ light is shining in the darkness but men don’t want to see. This is why Jesus said in John 3:19-20, "And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed." Living in Jesus’ light is not always pleasant. The closer we are to him, the more we read his word, the more we are led by his Spirit, the more we discover the dark areas of our life that God wants to change. The longer we are in the presence of his light, the more darkness in our own heart is exposed. It is then we realize how truly miserable we are. It is only through God’s strength that we can overcome some of the darkest areas of our life. But until we are bathed in his light, we are blind to our own weaknesses. But thank God, Jesus will help us in our frailty. As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." So in our weakness Christ will strengthen us! John 1:9 The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. This verse is better expressed by the King James Version, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Jesus is the true light. He lights the way for every man. He does this in many ways. The first way is mentioned here in verse 9: he came into the world. He lived among us. He took on the form of flesh and was tempted in all things as we are. Hebrews 4:15 explains this, "For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." What struggles are you facing — of the mind, of the flesh, of the spirit? Jesus knows and understands the troubles you are going through. He came into this world. The second way he is our light is he reveals the dark areas of our life so we can go to him for cleansing and renewal. Third, he has left us the light of his word to shine understanding upon our mind. And fourth, he brightens our way because he dwells with us and lives in us. MacDonald explains, "The same One who supplied us with life is also the light of men. He provides the guidance and direction necessary for man. It is one thing to exist, but quite another to know how to live, to know the true purpose of life, and to know the way to heaven. The same One who gave us life is the One who provides us with light for the pathway we travel." John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. Think of the power of this statement. The Creator of the world humbled himself to come into the world — to experience his creation, to dwell here among his created beings, clothed as a man to be as one of us. And yet the world did not know him. How is this possible? How could the clay pot not recognize the potter? Was it that difficult for men to sense the divine breath coming from him that had breathed life into them? Was it that hard for them to feel the hands of the one who had formed them? Was it impossible for them to see the mercy and compassion of their Creator? Could they not sense the love which was reaching out to them in their sinfulness? Some did, but most did not recognize him. It is still that way today. Most are still ignoring their Creator: they are still rejecting his love, his compassion, his mercy. Instead of looking to the Creator, men are trapped by the allure of the creation — things to have, to possess, to gain. Jesus came to the world as a man 2000 years ago. He is still walking throughout the land searching for those who will say, "Yes Lord, I want to know you." John 1:11 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. He came to Israel, the nation who was called by God’s name: his chosen people. But the leaders of his own people rejected him. It was because they were not really searching for the things of God. They were busy with their own political dealings and business concerns. Their heart was far from God. They knew the Messiah would some day come, but when he arrived, they were not ready to give up their place, their power, or their prestige to humble themselves to serve him. Instead they were upset with him. Many of the people of Israel became followers of Jesus, but most of the Pharisees, the scribes, and the Saducees plotted his death. The spiritual leaders of the nation should have been the first to recognize the Messiah. But their hearts were so far from God that, instead of serving him, they plotted how they might destroy him. Israel rejected Christ, but the gentiles embraced him. The gospel spread throughout the heathen world. America built its greatness on its Christian faith. America and other gentile nations had become the new home for Jesus. But we are in danger of repeating Israel’s sin. Jesus is searching throughout America for Christian followers, and his own are not recognizing him anymore. They are following after other gods: money, possessions, pleasure. Will Jesus someday say of America, "I came to my own, but they received me not"? John 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. Have you received Christ? Do you believe in his name? If you do, then this verse tells you Jesus gave you power, power to become children of God. What an honor has been bestowed upon us. We who were not worthy to be called sons or daughters, we who openly rebelled against God, we who crucified Christ with our sins are now called the children of God. In the early part of this century, Oswald Chambers commented on this verse, "Is my knowledge of Jesus born of internal spiritual perception, or is it only what I have learned by listening to others? Have I something in my life that connects me with the Lord Jesus as my personal Saviour? All spiritual history must have a personal knowledge for its bedrock." Not only did God welcome us into his family, but he has given power to live the Christian life. He has given power to overcome temptation and live victoriously. Do you ever feel unimportant or insignificant? At those times it would be good to remind yourself that you are a child of God. Your Father rules the entire universe. You have been adopted into God’s family. Your family is the richest, most powerful, and the nicest in all the earth. So why feel discouraged? John 1:13 Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. We enter into God’s family by being born into it, or actually born-again into it. Notice this verse tells us how we make it into God’s family. This verse tells us four ways we can try to be born spiritually. First, we are not born of blood; second, we are not born of the will of the flesh; third, we are not born by the will of man; and fourth, we are only born by God. It is not by blood. We are not Christians because our parents or our grandparents were Christians. They may have had an influence on us, but ultimately we had to choose to serve Christ. We are also not spiritually born by the will of the flesh. We may work as hard as we can to live a good life, we may do good works and try to please many people, but all our best efforts fall short. We cannot save ourselves. We are simply too weak in ourselves in resisting sin. And finally, we cannot see someone saved by trying to will them into God’s kingdom. We may try to be our most persuasive, present all the best arguments, beg them, cajole them, threaten them. But we cannot force someone else to choose to serve God. There is only one who can make us children of the heavenly kingdom. And that is God. He is the one who draws us to him, who gives us the faith to believe, and the strength to commit to him. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. This verse will end our study on Christ, his words and his works. Jesus became flesh and lived among us. He took on the form of humanity. God wanted us to know that he is not some faraway, mystical being that doesn’t understand what we go through every day. God came to earth in the form of man, so we would know that he understands our hurts and our pains, our joy and our despair, our times of temptation. Christ came to live among us. But even veiled in human form, John could sense his grace and truth. And even though his deity was hidden by skin and bones, the disciples beheld his glory and recognized his majesty. Do you recognize the glory of Christ? Do you only see him as the babe in the manger, or as the bruised and beaten Savior on the cross? He is much more than that. He is full of grace and truth. He has the glory of the only Son of God. He is the mighty ruler of the universe, the Almighty God, the all-powerful force that holds the worlds together. He is so big that the whole of creation cannot contain him. And yet he is small enough to live within our heart. Footnotes: This study on John 1:1-5,9-14 © 1997 by David
Humpal. All rights reserved. |
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