THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015
Judges 11:1–12:15
John 1:1–28
Psalm 101:1–8
Proverbs 14:13,14
Today, we begin our reading of the Gospel of John, which features the most explicitly theological discussions among the four Gospels. In addition, John includes several long discussions on Jesus as the Christ, where he declares “I am” and thereby echoes God’s Name given to Moses in Exodus: “the bread of life”; “the light of the world”; “the gate for the sheep”; “the good shepherd”; “the resurrection and the life”; “the way, the truth, and the life”; and “the true vine.”
I would like to highlight some significant verses from today’s reading:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made…. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” (John 1:1–3,18)
The chapter begins with a glorious statement about the eternal existence of the Lord Jesus Christ - -and His pre-existence relative to creation. This verse deliberately echoes Genesis 1:1, linking Jesus Christ with the creation. For Greek philosophers, the Word (the “logos”) referred both to the spoken word and its unspoken counterpart, reason. For the Jews, the Word connoted God’s “light,” “life,” and “truth” – the force that allows for the working-out of His purposes. We understand that God the Son existed separate from God the Father but in full equality as God Himself. God the Son carried out crucial responsibilities related to creation. We understand, therefore, that Jesus Christ is not created but is Himself a Creator. Capping the introduction with v. 18, John encircles Jesus as the true Deity, worthy of worship and the Person through Whom God would most deeply reveal Himself.
“In him was life, and that light was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it… He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” (John 1:4,5,10)
The Gospel of John includes 36 references to “life”; no other New Testament book refers to “life” more than 17 times. Indeed, Jesus declares Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life” – the very means of approaching God and receiving salvation. Psalm 36:9 similarly links “light” and “life”: “For with you is the fountain of life;/ in your light we see light.” John heavily features the metaphor of darkness (representing sin, evil, or death) with light (recalling forgiveness, goodness, or life). We understand that, even with experiencing the “light” in Christ first-hand, “the darkness has not understood it,” and the “world did not recognize him.” These characterizations suggest that an individual’s receptivity to the Gospel goes beyond mere physical sight and plunges into matters of the spiritual heart.
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:11–13)
While the Gospel came first to the Jews, God’s purposes followed after the promise of Genesis 12:1-3, which reads in part: “… And all peoples on earth/ will be blessed through you.” This blessing would receive its most eminent form in the Person of Jesus Christ. John uses the verb “receive” to indicate the idea of inviting or opening our hearts to Christ; it requires a confessing response and implies an inward and outward change. While God has indeed created each person, receiving Christ brings about a “new birth” that makes the Father-child relationship eternally permanent. That we must receive Christ to inherit salvation makes it impossible to earn forgiveness through our own actions; it comes only as a free gift from God Himself.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
This verse touches upon Jesus’s amazing revelation of God’s character, specifically in the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus revealed the glory of God and demonstrated the breadth of God’s gracious and truthful character. The terminology for “made his dwelling” hearkens back to the earthly tabernacle, where God had resided during the Israelites’ time in the desert. Now, the living Christ has inhabited the earth, providing very real evidence of His existence, just as the smoke and fire of the desert times had. As Christ-followers, we desire to speak the “truth in love,” copying the godly character of Jesus, who provides the very embodiment of Truth.
(The NIV Study Bible provided significant “meat” for today’s discussion.)
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing the Father to us and for giving us the opportunity to receive You into our hearts. Thank You for Your abundant grace and mercy to us. Thank You for showing us light, life, and truth. Help us to know You more deeply through studying Your Word and hearing Your voice in prayer. May we bring glory to Your Name as we follow You. In Your Name, amen.
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