In The Beginning

ByJim Stephens

Scripture:  John 1:1-5 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:1–5 NLT)

In the Beginning! There’s so much here that I want to explore! We’re going to be journeying through John’s Gospel together for a while, I think. We spent almost six months (less about eight days) on a slow walk through Matthew. Wonder how long it will take to get to John 21:25?

John was one of the three disciples closest to Jesus. Out of his unique relationship with Jesus, he brings us a unique perspective on Jesus the person as well as Jesus the Savior. Three words John uses in this introduction to his Gospel and to Jesus are: Word, Light, and Life. These words were important to John and are important to knowing Jesus as John presents him to us.

In the Beginning, the Word already existed. The Word, that person of the Trinity we know as the Son, existed with God and has always been part of the being we refer to as “The Godhead.” The Word was instrumental in creation, because God spoke “let there be…” The Word is the interacting, communicating part of God’s eternal being. The Word is the “part of God” that was united with the humanness of Mary in conception to form the child Jesus. The Word is and has always been. Jesus began at conception in Mary’s womb and was born an infant, grew as a child and youth, and became a man. He lived among us, truly one of us, laughed, loved, wept, suffered, and died. On the cross he “released his spirit” and died. In the tomb, his living eternal spirit re-entered his dead human body, and he came back to life, to eternal life, as the man Jesus Christ.

Friends, to “know” what I’ve just described to you doesn’t mean the same as to “understand” what I’ve described to you! We know it by revelation and we believe it by faith! So here’s today’s reminder: We’re called to a life of faith!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for The Word, who is among us and is one of us! Help us to know you better as we come to know Jesus Christ, the Living Word, better! Amen!