*John 1:1-18
The Gospel of John opens by introducing Jesus as the eternal Word who created all things, is the source of life and light, and though rejected by the world, is revealed through John the Baptist.
- The Word (Logos):
- The passage begins by introducing the concept of the Word (Logos), describing it as existing in the beginning with God and being God Himself.
- The Word is portrayed as the agent of creation, through whom all things were made, and as the source of life and light for humanity.
- The Word Incarnate:
- It is revealed that the Word became flesh and dwelt among humanity as Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is depicted as the embodiment of grace and truth, surpassing the law given through Moses.
- The Light of the World:
- The passage contrasts the darkness of the world with the light brought by the Word, emphasizing that the light shines in the darkness and cannot be overcome by it.
- John the Baptist’s Testimony:
- John the Baptist is introduced as a witness who came to testify about the Light (the Word) that was coming into the world.
- He clarifies that he is not the Light but was sent to prepare the way for it.
- Reception and Rejection of the Word:
- The passage acknowledges that while the Word came to his own people, they did not recognize him or receive him.
- Yet, to those who did receive him, he gave the power to become children of God.
- Incarnation and Grace:
- The passage highlights the profound act of the Word becoming flesh, dwelling among humanity, and offering grace upon grace to believers.
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
1:18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.