John 1

Read John 1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The great person that the apostle John writes about was the eternal source of all that was made and the fountainhead of God's merciful love to fallen humanity.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” This was not the same individual as the author of the gospel, but was the one we normally refer to as “John the Baptist.” He announced to first century Israel the imminent arrival of “the Lord.”

The “only God,” the Master of everything, “became flesh” and lived among the chosen people of Yahweh. He became the central focus of those who would put their trust in the power of the Almighty to save them from their sins. How would sinners align with their Redeemer? “To all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God.” They would have spiritual renewal as those who were born “of God.”

Jesus' part in this historic work of salvation would be utterly unique. As John the Baptist directed some of his own followers, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” The Scriptures had prepared the Jews for the coming of a Messiah who would die as a sacrificial offering that would cancel the guilt of those who put their trust in Him.

Jesus is the stairway between heaven and earth that the Jewish patriarch Jacob had seen in a dream centuries before (Genesis 28:12). We can spend our whole lives seeing Christ in the pages of the Old Testament. Because of what our Friend from heaven has accomplished for us, our destiny is secured as those who are rightly counted as members of the household of Jehovah and who will see with our own eyes the Man who is our heart's greatest desire.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Eternal Father, You and Your Son were in the beginning, together with the Holy Spirit. We rejoice in You, the Triune God of Creation. We praise You for Your Word, now recorded in the Scriptures. We receive and believe in the Name of the One who is full of grace and truth, who became flesh and dwelt among humanity for our salvation. Our Redeemer is now with You in glory. We thank You for this great King. Announced by the prophets, Jesus is our Savior and Lord. Teach us to follow the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of people near and far. He has sent forth the divine Gift of the Spirit for the church. Grant to us a holy regard for the Messiah. Cause Your beloved children to stand on this Cornerstone of Your temple. He is good and kind, wise and true, for He is the God at Your right hand. He has made the way to heaven for us.