John Chapter 1
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John 1: The Word RevealedThe Eternal Word“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, ESV). The opening echoes Genesis 1:1, but moves beyond creation to eternity. The Word exists before time, distinct from God yet fully God in essence. Verse 2 repeats the point: “He was in the beginning with God.” No separation, no subordination, only shared deity.Creator of All“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). The Word stands as the active agent in creation. Nothing exists apart from His work. Every star, every atom, every breath traces back to Him.Life and Light“In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Life resides inherently in the Word, not as a quality He possesses but as His very nature. This life becomes light for humanity, illuminating truth and exposing darkness. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Darkness represents sin, ignorance, and evil; yet it cannot extinguish the light.The WitnessJohn the Baptist enters as “a man sent from God” (John 1:6). His role: to bear witness to the light so that all might believe through him. “He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light” (John 1:8). The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world (John 1:9).Rejection and Reception“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him” (John 1:10). The Creator enters His creation, yet remains unrecognized. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11). Israel, entrusted with the promises, rejects the Promised One. Yet verse 12 shifts: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Reception means believing in His name, trusting His identity and work. The result: adoption into God’s family, born “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).The Word Became Flesh“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The eternal Word takes on full humanity without ceasing to be God. He dwells, literally “tabernacled,” among us, recalling the wilderness tabernacle where God met Israel. “And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” His glory reveals divine splendor; grace and truth define His character.John the Baptist testifies: “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me’” (John 1:15). Though born later, the Word precedes John in eternal existence.Grace Upon Grace“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). The law came through Moses; grace and truth through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). The law revealed sin; Christ fulfills and surpasses it. “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18). The Word exegetes the Father, making the invisible God visible.The Lamb of GodJohn the Baptist declares: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus bears and removes sin, fulfilling Passover imagery. “This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me’” (John 1:30). Again, preexistence. Though John baptized with water, the Coming One baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). The Spirit descends and remains on Him, confirming His identity as the Son of God (John 1:34).