|
John 1:1-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Word Became Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. |
In this first section of John’s gospel account, he records the astounding truth that God came into the world as a man – Jesus Christ - and lived alongside us….
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” v14
The question of the identity of Jesus is hugely important. Many consider Him to be a good man or a prophet - perhaps a bit better than most of us, but deny that God would ever take on a human body and humble Himself to a simple life as a carpenter from Nazareth. The sacrificial life and death of Jesus does not fit with what many expect from their god.
At this point I am reflecting on how and when I concluded that Jesus is God. I am thanking God that He planted this truth into my life from an early age and, as life goes on, all I know of Jesus strengthens my conviction that He is the Word and was with God in the beginning.
Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus came to minister “grace and truth” (v17) into the world – into the lives of individuals and He came to make visible the invisible God…” No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” v18
Jesus Christ is totally unique – His life, death and resurrection satisfy all of God’s requirements for us to be saved. Our part is to acknowledge and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Receive Him into your life today!
“..to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” v12
Ewen M