Good morning,
This week we will study John 1:1-34. We will discover who is the” Word”,what the ‘Word” did, the witness of one who knew the “Word”, and what that means for us.
The Word Became Flesh
John 1 invites us into the profound mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming man in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. It beckons us to recognize Jesus as the eternal Word through whom all things were created, the Light that shines in the darkness, and the Lamb of God who takes away sin. This chapter serves as a reminder of Jesus’ divine nature and mission, encouraging us to deepen our faith and inviting us to follow Him in our daily lives. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/john/1.htm)
The Word in Eternity and Creation (John 1:1-5)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by 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 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:1-3 introduces the concept of “the Word” (Greek: “Logos”), emphasizing its divine nature and role in creation. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This passage establishes the pre-existence and deity of Christ, affirming that all things were made through Him.
In the beginning was the Word, who was with God and was God. Through Him, all things were made. In Him was life, which was the light of all mankind.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) Jesus is eternal, existing before creation. The Word (Logos) signifies Jesus as the divine reason and creative order.
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:3) Jesus is the agent of creation. All of creation is dependent on Him.
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:4) Jesus is the source of spiritual life and enlightenment.His light overcomes the darkness of sin and ignorance.
John 1:4-5 describes the Word as the source of life and light for humanity. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” The light shines in the darkness, symbolizing the revelation and truth brought by Christ, which the darkness cannot overcome.
(https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/john/1.htm)
Testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:6-8, 15, 19-34)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet?26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
God sent John the Baptist as a witness to testify concerning the Light. John testifies that he is not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, but the voice calling in the wilderness. He identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. (John 1:7) John the Baptist’s role was to prepare the way for Jesus. His testimony points others to the true Light. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/john/1.htm)
The Word Made Flesh (John 1:9-14, 16-18)
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13 Which 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 was made 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.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John 1:9-13 speaks of the true Light that gives light to every man. “The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.” Despite being in the world, the world did not recognize Him, yet those who received Him were given the right to become children of God.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14-18 highlights the incarnation of the Word. “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” This passage underscores the full humanity and divinity of Christ, who is full of grace and truth, and reveals God to humanity.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. (John 1:14) Jesus took on human nature to dwell among us. This act demonstrates God’s love and desire for a relationship with humanity.
(https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/john/1.htm)
John 1 serves as a profound introduction to the Gospel of John, presenting the preexistence of Jesus Christ as the Word, His role in creation, and His incarnation as the Light and Life of mankind. Through this chapter, we also explore the testimony of John the Baptist. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/john/1.htm)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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