The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-18)
The Gospel of John starts in a unique and powerful way. It doesn’t begin with a baby in a manger or a family tree—it begins with something much bigger: the story of Jesus from before time even began. These first 18 verses in John tell us who Jesus really is and why He came.
Let’s walk through it together.
Jesus Was There in the Beginning
John opens by calling Jesus “the Word.” This might sound unusual, but it means Jesus is the one who reveals God and speaks His truth to the world.
John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” That’s a big statement. It means Jesus wasn’t just born into history—He has always existed. He was there with God before anything else was made, and in fact, everything was created through Him.
Light in the Darkness
Next, John describes Jesus as the light of all people. His light brings life. That means Jesus helps us see what is true, right, and good. And no matter how dark the world seems, that light cannot be put out. Evil and darkness don’t stand a chance against Him.
A Man Named John Pointed to Jesus
There was another man named John—John the Baptist. His job was to get people ready for Jesus. He wasn’t the light, but he came to help others recognize it. He told people to turn back to God and prepare their hearts for someone greater.
Jesus Came to the World He Made
Jesus entered the world He created, but many didn’t recognize Him. Some ignored Him. Some even rejected Him. That can sound surprising—why wouldn’t people welcome their Creator?
But the good news is that not everyone turned away. John writes that anyone who does believe in Jesus is given a brand new identity—they become children of God. Not because of their family, background, or efforts, but simply because of God’s love.
The Word Became Human
One of the most powerful verses in the Bible is John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” That means Jesus became fully human and walked among us. He wasn’t distant or far off—He moved into our neighborhood. People saw Him, listened to Him, touched Him. He was full of grace and truth.
Jesus didn’t just come to teach or perform miracles—He came to show us God’s heart in a real, personal way.
Endless Grace Through Jesus
John reminds us that while Moses brought the law from God, Jesus brought something even deeper: grace and truth. Jesus came to forgive, to help, to guide, and to heal. Through Him, we receive grace upon grace—more than we could ever earn or imagine.
Jesus Makes God Known
John finishes this section by saying, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God… has made Him known.” In other words, if we want to know what God is like, we just need to look at Jesus. His kindness, wisdom, compassion, and love show us exactly who God is.
What This Means for Us
John 1:1–18 is more than just an introduction to a book—it’s an invitation to believe.
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Jesus has always been with God and is God.
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He came to bring light and life to the world.
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He offers a fresh start and a place in God’s family to anyone who believes.
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He shows us what God is really like—full of love, grace, and truth.
If you’ve ever wondered who Jesus is or what God is like, John’s Gospel gives a beautiful answer: Look at Jesus. He is the light that still shines in the darkness.
John 1:1-18 (WEB)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. 9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14 The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ ” 16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.