The Word Became Flesh!!!
John 1:1-18
These first eighteen verses of the Book of John are some of the most profoundly beautiful descriptions of Jesus and HIS purpose in coming to Earth as the saviour of humanity. John introduces his gospel account not with a historical narrative like that of Matthew or Luke, but with statements about the very nature of Jesus as ‘God’, and HIS involvement in all of creation’s history.
Even as John moves from his introduction of Jesus into the presentation of John the Baptist and his role in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry - John entwines Jesus’ divinity and HIS authority with HIS purpose and fruit here on Earth.
John truly does illuminate the concept of Jesus being “The Word Who Became Flesh”.
(artwork by Schism)
John 1:1-18 says…
Verses 1-5: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
There is much truth contained in these few verses. Truths that relate to the involvement of God in the creation of the universe and HIS continued involvement with humanity.
In this context the Greek word ‘logos’ is what John uses to refer to ‘The Word’. The meaning s of ‘logos’ link to concepts of wisdom, of sayings and declarations, or a statement of something being said. John is saying here that Jesus is the source of all wisdom and truth.
John then takes that concept and expands on it even further by saying that ‘The Word’ was ‘God’ - giving it divine nature and authority in the first instance.
John then adds to that by making a statement of differentiation between God and ‘The Word’, by saying that ‘The Word’ was with God in the beginning. This notion shows the connectedness of the Father and the Son. Both were present at the formation of the universe.
John then doubles down on the role and importance of Jesus in the act of creation by stating that all things were created by HIM and through HIM, that he is the source of life itself.
Then just as it seems as if John has reached his peak descriptions of Jesus he adds another layer. He refers to Jesus as the ‘light of mankind’ meaning that he is the salvation of all humanity, and the one to guide them from a place of sin and darkness. This is not a prophetic utterance made by John, rather it is a statement of fact after the events of Jesus’ ministry and subsequent death, resurrection and ascension to Heaven.
The concept of Jesus being ‘the Word’ is one that carries throughout the entire gospel.
Verses 6-13: “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
After the introduction of Jesus as ‘the Word’ and the role HE played in creation, and continues to play in the present and future of humanity - John steps into the historical timeline and begins to make mention of the role ‘John the Baptist’ in preaching about the coming ‘Messiah’ and saviour of Israel and the world.
But even in this lean towards the historical, John draws the reader back into a discussion about the divine authority, power and intent of Jesus.
John continues with his concept of Jesus being the ‘Light’. He notes that John the Baptist is not ‘the Light’, but is a witness to the coming ‘Light’. John places John the Baptist as an important figure in biblical events - as the herald of the messiah. In Matthew 11:9-11 we see Jesus even speaking about this when he says, “Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!”
Despite showing how special and important John the Baptist is/was, the focal point for John was still Jesus.
John reaffirms that all things were created through Jesus. Jesus as the ‘Creator’ is an often forgotten aspect of HIS role and divine nature.
He then begins to introduce the gospel, and the role of Jesus as the Messiah, the salvation for humanity. John tells us that people did not recognise Jesus as the Messiah. In this he is referring to the Jewish people who had been reading about the the ‘Messiah’ for centuries, and who were the cultural people of Jesus. They should have known that arrival of the Messiah was close in their time (much as HIS second return is close in our, and we should be aware of the signs of that occurring).
The joy of our salvation, and the assurance is then highlighted by John who says that “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” - this means that anyone who believes in Jesus as the Son of God, as the Messiah, who died and rose again for our sins - is adopted into the family of God.
We become as Paul puts it in Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Because these are eternal spiritual offspring they are closer and more loved than our own physical children/family.
It shows that the purpose of Jesus, as the Messiah, was to re-unite humanity with God (Yahweh). To restore our relationship with God, by becoming part of HIS heavenly family.
Verse 14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John digs deep in his discussion of Jesus and begins to note Jesus’ humanity (flesh), yet at the same time emphasising the divine authority which HE brought while HE was a human living on Earth.
The Son and the Father are one, but also seperate (this is an important element of the godhead, the trinity).
Because Jesus came from God, HE encapsulates the characteristics and character of God - here John makes mention of grace and truth being key elements of the very nature and character of God/Jesus.
Verses 15-18: (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”). Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”
John finishes this set of verses with a flourish of hope.
John informs us that grace (the un-merited favour of God, that cannot be learnt - only gifted by God) comes from Jesus and our belief in HIM.
Grace and the truth (of God’s Word) can only come from God, and we access that through Jesus. Not through anything that we have done, or should do - but rather because of what Jesus did in dying for our sins.
God made Jesus known to us because HE loves us and because HE wants a renewed relationship with humanity.
We have seen the disciple John, the one who was said to be ‘the one Jesus loves’ - has given us a beautiful introduction to his account of the gospel message and the ministry of Jesus the Messiah. As we move through the book of John we shall see some dynamic illustrations of the person, the character and the nature of who Jesus Christ is, and what HE is to us.
May God bless you as you move from day to day in the grace and truth of God, and the blessing of knowing HIS son Jesus.