December 29, 2020 (Tuesday)
The prologue to the book of John should be studied carefully
by every believer. It sets the theological basis for our faith. Let’s take a
deep dive into our faith.
John introduces Jesus with these words, “In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” [John
1:1 ESV] Notice how this verse reflects Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning,
God created the heavens and the earth.” [ESV] Who is this God who created the heavens
and the earth? John is and will tell us it is Jesus.
Notice how John 1:1 uses the past tense “was.” A sound
reading of the past tense is reflected in the NLT, “In the beginning the Word
already existed.” [John 1:1a] Before the world existed, Jesus already existed.
Notice John 1:1 distinguishes between the Word and God. Yet, John continues by
telling us that “the Word was God.”
This is the beginning to understanding the “trinity.” The
word trinity does on appear in the Bible, it’s a human term we use to describe
God. It means three-in-one and one-in-three. Remember we are trying to describe
and understand a being that is “other” than we are. Essentially we can only begin
to understand what God reveals to us.
John distinguishes between “the Word” and “God” using the
idea of “with.” Jesus, God the Son, is separate and distinct from God the
Father. John reinforces this in the next verse, “He was in the
beginning with God.” [John 1:2 ESV] Reinforcing Jesus as the
creator, essentially equating the Son and the Father, John states, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing
made that was made.” [John 1:3 ESV]
The idea of Jesus the creator is expanded in John 1:4, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” ESV] In other words, “The Word gave life to everything that was created.” [John 1:4a NLT] The act of
creation is separated from the act of giving life. This is significant because
it is something that separates us from God. We have the ability to manipulate
the elements to form various things, but we cannot bring something into
existence “out of nothing” or give it life.
After separating creation and life as distinct things, John introduces
the concept of “light.” Remember, the first thing created on the first day of
creation was “light.” This was done before any sources, as we understand them,
of light were created. John builds this into a theological truth. Not only do
humans have a physical body (creation) and life (soul), but there is also light
(spirit).
We connect to God on a spiritual level. One of the functions
of the Holy Spirit is “illumination” on the Bible. If the Holy Spirit is going
to shine light on the Bible, we must first know what light is and what it does.
Later Jesus is going to expose us, “And this is the judgment: the
light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the
light because their works were evil.” [John 3:19 ESV] We are all the
critters under the overturned rock, scurrying for cover because of the light.
The other thing about light, John points out, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome
it.” [John 1:5 ESV] Light always expels darkness. John is setting up
the idea of a spiritual struggle between light and darkness, good and evil. Or
as Paul put it, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the
minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2 Corinthians 4:4]
In fact, Paul’s appointment from God was specifically, “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and
from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a
place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” [Acts 26:18 ESV]
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