“The Word”
John1:1-10
Introduction
Matthew pictures Jesus as the KING of the Jews, written to the Jewish people.
Mark shows Jesus as the SERVANT written with the Romans in mind.
Luke views Jesus as the SON OF MAN written for the Greeks.
John presents Jesus as the SON OF GOD and writes to the whole world! (John frequently uses the word world.)
Matthew and Luke take us back to Bethlehem. But John takes us back to the Bosom of the Father. (v. 18)
The KEY VERSE of John’s gospel is John 20:31
John 20:31 But these are written (recorded) in order that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of God, and that through BELIEVING and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
In the beginning
Is a reference to Genesis 1:1
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Elohim- plural.) created the heavens and the earth
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.
We find …the TRINITY in the both the very FIRST verse of the Bible and also In the very FIRST chapter of the Bible.
The FATHER is totally God (all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal, creator). The SON is totally God. The HOLY SPIRIT is totally God.
And yet at the same time…The Scriptures very clearly teach that there are NOT three Gods but …. ONE TRUE & LIVING GOD!
And thus as Christians we believe in the TRINITY or TRI-UNITY of God!
The FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT…three distinct persons, co-equal, almighty, uncreated, having existed eternally in the Godhead!
Illustration egg
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word…
It’s here we learn that Jesus predates the CREATION of the time-space-material universe.
The verb “was” highlights the ETERNAL, PRE- EXISTENCE of the Word
Jesus did not come into existence. He ALWAYS was…
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting (eternity).
Hebrew 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word (Grk- logos)
Much as our words reveal our heart, mind and thoughts to others… So Jesus is Gods WORD (Grk-logos) to reveal God’s heart and mind to us!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God
It here we learn that the Word, the Second Person of the Trinity, was and has always been with the Father in intimate fellowship throughout all eternity.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
It’s here we learn that Jesus is God!
This verse does NOT teach that Jesus is a god!
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.
John 10:30 I and My Father are ONE.
John 10:33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
Colossians 2:9 For in Him (Jesus) dwells ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This first sentence of John is the most COMPACT and PULSATING theological statement in ALL Scripture on the Deity of Jesus!
Studying John 1:1 reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia (Prince Caspian)
It reminds me of …Lucy’s experience with the Lion…Aslan (Jesus)… as she gazed into his large, wise face.
“Welcome child”…he said.
“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”
“That is because your older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
2 He was in the beginning with God.
Verse 2 again makes the point that.. The Father is distinct from the Son, and the Son distinct from the Father. They are equally God, yet they are distinct Persons.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
It’s here that we learn that Jesus is the Creator God of the universe!
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were CREATED that are in heaven and that are on earth… All things were CREATED through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (held together).
Q. Why do YOU exist today?
A. You were made by Him. You were made for Him.
If your NOT living your life for Jesus.. life won’t make sense
It’s when you start living for Jesus that life makes sense!
The SECRET OF LIFE is found in understanding that YOU were created BY Him and FOR Him!
Revelation 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
JESUS is the SOURCE of Human Life as our CREATOR. He is the One who has given us the light of life!
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (Extinguish)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
God is the One who sends men to point us to Jesus.
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.
That’s TRUE of us too!
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John 20:31 But these are written (recorded) in order that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of God, and that through BELIEVING and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name!