Let’s start today with a little Bible reading.
Read John 1:1-14 .
*Unless otherwise specified, I will predominantly use the NASB translation. The link should give you the option to change to a translation with which you feel more comfortable if you choose.
John’s gospel is unique from the other three gospels. Right from the start we see the difference. What you just read is an introduction. We are all familiar with introductions. “Hi. My name is… and I …”
The first time I met my husband my introduction went something like this, “Hi. I’m Ruth. Do you happen to know *Craig Smith? I went to college with him. He was a year ahead of me in school.”
An introduction gives us important pieces of reference information that can serve to start building a conversation and then, perhaps, a relationship. When I introduced myself to the young man who would become my husband I gave him some potentially associative information about myself. If he knew my friend, he now knew several important key facts about me: my age, where I went to school and, perhaps even a few things I might be interested in, based upon the interests of my friend. I made my introduction based upon a few things I already knew about Alan because someone else had introduced him to the group we were in.
When you read John 1:1-14 what important pieces of information about Jesus stand out to you?
*Note, John refers to Jesus as the Word in this passage.
We are going to look at John’s introduction of Jesus to his readers in two parts because what he says about Jesus in his introduction is so foundational to the framework of how we are going to be seeking to understand Jesus relationally. And it is my intention to not overwhelm my fellow participants with too much information in one sitting. To know someone means to spend time with them, relate with them and understand them, to savor each look and gesture. So it is with Jesus. It is my hope that we will be able to take each day’s treasure gleaned through our study and savor it all day long. This is best done in small bites.
Jesus is God
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
If you know the end of the story, this should come as no surprise to you. John clearly states the purpose of his gospel as he concludes his narrative – but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 John clearly wants his readers to know that Jesus is God. It’s the first thing he tells us about Jesus and it’s pretty much the last thing he leaves us with.
John also expands what it means that Jesus is God, to some degree. He tells us that Jesus is eternal (John 1:2), the Creator (John 1:3), life sustainer (John 1:4) and the Light of men (John 1:4).
How does knowing these things affect how you see Jesus?
Jesus became Human
And the Word became flesh… John 1:14
Matthew and Luke chose to include the birth of Jesus in their narratives. John’s purpose isn’t to just tell the story of Jesus, he wants to present Jesus in such a way that his readers relate to Him as both God and human. He wants his readers to know (you, my friend!), as we’ll see, that unlike so many other gods, Jesus wants to interact, to relate, to intertwine His life with those who receive Him and believe in Him.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us… John 1:14
The word dwelt that John uses here basically means to move in with, to abide with and take up residence with. The Greek word actually refers to a movable dwelling. Jesus is able to move with us wherever we go. He shows us the personal side of God. He put on a robe of humanity to become more accessible to us.
How has Jesus been accessible to you?
*I’ve changed the name of my college friend