This world can be a beautiful place, there is so much to be enjoyed, and experienced. Life here can also be very painful. The struggle leaves us wondering if anyone cares. The true pandemic facing mankind is a soul eroding despair. For many life is like an anchorless vessel drifting on the turbulent waters of chaos, and chance. The Gospel of John tells a much different story. He gives us a clear glimpse of Who Jesus is. John’s message brings us face to face with the immeasurable love of God. Marinate your heart and mind in this… The All-powerful Word became flesh giving up the splendor of heaven so you might believe and live.
The Deity of Christ
John 1:1–3 (NKJV): 1, In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.
John begins by taking us back to the beginning. He intentionally reflects the story of creation recorded in the book of Genesis. Read Genesis one. What do you notice? God is speaking All of creation into existence. Circle or underline all the references where it is recorded “God said” or “God called.” Can you imagine the power and authority in the words that spoke All things into being? The Apostle John is teaching us who Jesus Christ is. Understanding who Jesus is and what He has done opens our minds to His great love and purpose. A love so powerful and humble we could spend many lifetimes trying to comprehend it.
The word “Word” here is logos, and it refers to Jesus Christ. In Christ God has revealed himself to man in the flesh. As we see in the book of Genesis in the beginning the agent of creation was the word. It is the same for the new creation. The Word is God in action. In the scripture, we see the Word active in creation, revelation, wisdom, and the salvation of man. All things were created through this Word. The Apostle Paul sums it up. We can become new because the Word came to redeem all who would receive Him. Colossians 1:16–22 (NKJV): For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
The power of the Word created all things, but the power of the word also holds things together. His power keeps all things in their proper place. Imagine the power that made all things, and holds them together. Ironically the Living Word Jesus Christ offered himself so we might be reconciled to God the father.
In the Old Testament, we encounter the personification of the word. In Isaiah 7:3 The word of the Lord came to the prophet Isaiah. In this instance, the word was like a messenger sent from the heart and mind of God to the prophet. Psalms 107:17-19 reveals the saving power of the Word. Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. 18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
20 He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions. What a snapshot of the Gospel concerning Jesus. Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that God’s word always accomplishes its intended purpose. My word that goes forth from my mouth shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and prospered in the thing for which I sent it.
The personification of the word of God seen in the Old Testament sets the stage for the logos. Jesus the living word came to reveal the heart and mind of the father. He came with a message of salvation. Jesus king to heal mankind from the disease of sin and death. Jesus accomplished the purpose for which he came.
John 1:1–5 (NKJV): and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The word here is differentiated from God, but he is in close relationship to God the Father. The word shares the very nature of God. God is the creator and the word is his agent. Psalm 33:6 By the word of the Lord the heavens came into being. Hebrews 1:2 He has in these last days spoken to us by his son whom he has appointed heir of all things through whom also he made the worlds.
The word of God came in the flesh as a light in a dark world. The Word came with the words of life. He came to bring healing to a world rife with sin and death. He faithfully and completely accomplished what he came to do. As he said from the cross, “It is finished.” Jesus came so you might believe, and live. The Word that spoke creation into existence came so you might be a new creation. Jesus is the source of all life and eternal life. Have you received the message concerning Jesus? Have you believed?