John 1:1-18
Introduction:
1. Grasping the significance of Emmanuel demands knowing Him for who He truly is.
2. The truths set forth in this opening section are life changing as they give us a better grasp how truly phenomenal the incarnation is.
Discussion:
I. The Eternal Word (1:1-2)
A. John’s gospel begins before time, saying when the beginning came, the Word already was.
B. Repeatedly, John argues that the Word which became flesh did not begin to exist at that time; He already was (John 1:1, 15; 8:58; 17:5).
C. While making it clear He is distinct from the Father (with God), He left no room to question that the Word was Deity, the Word was God.
II. The Creating Word (1:3, 10)
A. Various groups in the late first and early second centuries claimed Jesus was a created being (Arians, some Gnostics, Ebionites, and Hermas).
B. Various groups still argue this position today (Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, some Unitarians, and Muslims).
C. John will have none of it, stating emphatically that every created thing owes its origin to the eternal Word (1:3, 10).
D. With this Paul and the Hebrews writer concur in no uncertain terms (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3).
E. This makes His taking on flesh and dying for us all the more remarkable.
III. The Source of Life and Light (1:4-9)
A. As the creator, obviously He is the source of physical life, but John goes deeper here.
B. He is the giver of spiritual life, which was vested in Him by the Father (3:1-7; 5:26; 6:44-45, 63; 8:12; ;11:25; 14:6; 1 John 1:2; 5:11).
C. The means by which He grants this spiritual life is the light of God’s word (1:4-9; Psalms 119:105; Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16; Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 1 John 1:5-7; 2:8).
D. As darkness symbolizes sin, ignorance, and rebellion, the light of the Word casts out the ignorance and blindness driving it (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
IV. The Giver of Grace and Truth (1:10-18)
A. These verses highlight the core elements of the life and light of the Word and word of God.
B. By taking on flesh, the Word delivered God’s grace and truth to humanity in its fullness (1:17).
C. Note the key elements involved in this delivery:
1. To those who received Him, He granted the right to become children of God by a new spiritual birth (1:10-13; John 3:3ff; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3, 22-25; 1 John 3:1-3).
2. The catalyst for reception was the sight of His glory (1:14-15; 2:11; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-17; 1 John 1:1).
3. His fullness brought grace upon grace (1:16).
4. As He made the unseeable Father known (1:18; 6:46; Exodus 33:20; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 4:12; 20; John 14:8-11).
Conclusion:
1. Such amazing gifts delivered by the Father through the Son beg the question why so many only give thought to the Word becoming flesh this time of year.
2. The blessings He delivered are ever present to those who receive Him, so does it not follow that we ought to honor that gift day in and day out?
Further Food for Thought
1. How does it strike you knowing the Creator took on the form of His own creation to save us from our rebellion against Him?
2. How often do you reflect on the profound depths of His love and grace to you?
3. How can we better communicate this truth to tie our hearts more firmly to Him?