John 1:1-18 is one of those sections in the Bible that just makes my jaw drop every time I read it. I cannot read this and imagine anyone writing it except under the divine influence of God’s Holy Spirit, and that is exactly what John did.

These words look poetic, but that’s not their purpose. This wasn’t written so that we would have something to look at that would become an artistic feast, they were written to take a beautiful, deep truth and to present it with Spirit given words that only a Christian under the influence of the Spirit could truly understand and be moved by.

(1)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

“the beginning”: This was the word “archē” which means the origin, the primordial source or ultimate underlying source of the universe. This doesn’t mean “where the world started”, but where the source of all things is. What is the source of all things? God… “At the source of all things was the Word”.

The “Word” is the Greek “logos”: One of the two primary Greek words used for “Word”. “logos”, in ancient Greek philosophy, means the “objective, governing principle of the universe”. More deeply, “logos” refers to words that are for all people, for all time and every occasion. The spoiler here, if you haven’t come across it before, is that “logos” (Word) here refers to Jesus. For a more simplistic view, “logos” points to the Bible. Jesus is the living Word of God, after all, what did Jesus preach? Jesus didn’t just preach the scriptures, He is the living scriptures. The “Words of life” as Peter said (John 6:68).

So, at “the beginning”, “the Word” was with God and “the Word” was God. Not a God or a small “g” god, but God. Part of the trinity. “The Lord your God is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

(2)  He was with God in the beginning.

Part of verse 1 reinforced: Jesus (the Word) was with God at the source of all things.

(3)  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

What part did Jesus have in creation? It’s right here: through Jesus *ALL* things were made. How did God create? With Words (Genesis 1:3 & 6 for example).

(4)  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

If we’ve ever needed to understand Jesus’ purpose it is right here: Jesus brought life in Himself. Jesus said, about those that weren’t following Him, “Let the dead bury the dead” (Matthew 8:22). If you want true, abundant life, it is found through Jesus.

(5)  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

One thing is clear, there is nothing more powerful than God and nothing can stand against Him and prevail, “light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.

(6)  There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

John was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah, see Isaiah 40:3-5.

(7)  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

John came to straighten the way for Jesus, preaching a baptism of repentance. He also witnessed about Jesus, see John 1:19-34.

(8)  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

John stated strictly that he was not the Messiah, but testified to Jesus specifically in John 1:32-34.

(9)  The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

(10)  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

(11)  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Jesus came to the Jews, although the Jewish nation as a whole rejected Him. This was God’s plan in order that the gentiles (non-Jews) might know Him. Does God have a plan to save Israel? He certainly does: Romans 11.

(12)  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

(13)  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Those who “believed in His name” became children of God. That word “believe” in the Greek means far more than just an agreement, it denotes a deep trust and commitment. It is like the difference between believing an airplane can fly and actually getting on one and going somewhere. You don’t just “believe” that Jesus can save you and make you a child of God, you actually place your trust in Him and commit to Him.

Being a child of God means that you share a common inheritance with Jesus, you are an heir in as much as a Jewish first born son is an heir to his fathers inheritance.

Becoming a child of God requires being “born again” (John 3:1-21), being “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5):

“Born of water…”: washed in the waters of rebirth, cleansed of your sins and Jesus’ righteousness imputed to you. 

“Born of the Spirit…”: the Holy Spirit comes to live in you, working to change you into the image of Jesus. The Spirit brings many things to the believers life, but that’s for another article. Make no mistake though, when you are born again you are born of God.

(14)  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Some “Christian” and other non-Christian religions claim that Jesus is not God, just a prophet or a “good morale teacher”. Combine verse 1 with this verse and these heresies are destroyed, how?:

Verse 1 identifies that “The Word” is God.

Verse 14 identifies that “The Word” is Jesus “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us…”.

If you need more proof of the diety of Christ, try this verse from Isaiah: Isaiah 9:6 NIV – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(15)  (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)

Another pointer to John The Baptist’s testimony to Jesus.

(16)  Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

What does this mean? Quite simply, God’s grace is never ending, there is always more grace for those that are His.

(17)  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Mosaic law served only to show that man cannot, through works and “being good”, stand righteous before God. True imputed righteousness comes through the grace and truth that Jesus brought. This is the only way.

(18)  No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Jesus made God known to us because, quite plainly, He *IS* God! (John 14:9).

When we were far from Him, with our backs turned to Him, arrogance and pride in our hearts, Jesus came all the way to us to open His arms and offer us the only way back to right standing with God. All of grace, all of something that we do not deserve. Mercy offered to spare us of the punishment that we do deserve for our rebellion against Him.

Jesus is standing there right now, His arms wide, offering you Himself.

Mankind willingly walked away from the ability to stand before God and be in right relationship with Him (Genesis 3).

God didn’t send us to Hell, we were each born already on our way there of our own accord. But God did and does still extend His arms, offering us a way back to Him instead.

So what are you waiting for?