Chapter 1

In the beginning . . . These words began another book of the Bible, the first one, Genesis in which the first two chapters speak of God’s creating power. The epic creation is told in two different formats. In chapter 1, God creates by speaking, “Let there be . . . and there was, and it was good.” It is clear from the author of that work that God’s power was seen as emanating by “Word” of mouth, and the word of God spoken into the chaos could bring order where there was none and could bring form where none existed before.

John writes these might words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning and everything that was created was created through him.” Once again the Word emanates from God and things begin to happen. In this great oration about the coming of Jesus into the world, John is clear to remind us that HE is God’s Word. This Word became “flesh and dwelt among full of grace and truth.” God’s creative Word was not to be seen as anything static but full of power to bring about the will of God in the world that God created.

This is as close as John comes to the equivalent of Luke’s birth narrative, or Matthew’s birth narrative. In their essence, they too talk about a divine origin for Jesus, the action of the Holy Spirit that took flesh and became incarnate in the womb of Mary. John, however, takes to those the very being of God before anything else existed. John is clear to let us know that Jesus is, was, and ever will be God who created heaven and earth; yet in the wander and mystery that only God to issue, the majesty of God has now become human with the plan and purpose of salvation for the world that God has always desired. God and human flesh now become coexistent in the person of Jesus.

Confusion of the John’s

There are several Johns to take note of. The first is the John after whom this book is titled. This John is bearing his witness to the world of the Christ – God in human flesh and blood in the person of Jesus the Christ. If you will, consider that John the Evangelist is the writer of the book and this telling of the story of the gospel is his testimony.

The second John of note is the Baptizer. They are not to be confused any longer. This John begins to enter the telling of the story in 1:15. It is my contention that John the Evangelist makes his presence known in those early verses of 6-9. He says, “A man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light . . .” Often this John has been taken as the Baptist; however, it is my contention that this John is the evangelist. This entire book is the “witness of John” of the true light that has come into the world.

Let there be light!

The first thing recorded in the Genesis of the world was God’s utterance that there be light. John bears witness that that light was the Light of the World who became flesh and dwelt among. It is through the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ that the world is finally able to see God. Making God known is the mission that Jesus is to accomplish.

Beginning at verse 19, John the Baptist begins giving his testimony. He answers the questions about his own identity. He is not the prophet, he is not Elijah, he is not the Messiah. He is the “voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,” as Isaiah said. John is there to point the way. John brings the word of repentance and forgiveness of sin. John is there the next morning to point across the river. “There,” he said pointing at Jesus, “Here is the Lab of God who takes away the sin of the World.” Pointing to Jesus he identifies the one who is coming into the world to bring light and salvation, and the forgiveness of sin.

Testimony Reveals the Messiah to the Generations

John lends further testimony, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.” The Baptist record that the God who sent him to baptize for the forgiveness of sins, also revealed to him that the Messiah will be the one on whom the spirit descends and remains is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Armed with the revelation of God “enlightened” by the Spirit, John now joins the on-going progressions of testimony that points to Jesus as the revelation of God, the Messiah, God in human flesh and blood. The Baptist points across the river once again to point out the “Lamb of God.” John’s testimony begins the chain of events that build throughout the generations. With John’s revelation made, two of John’s disciples now set out to follow Jesus. We’re told that one of those two disciples was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Immediately Andrew set out to tell Peter that he found the Messiah. Peter then followed. Jesus found Philip and Philip found Nathaniel who came with all his skepticism and Jesus opened Nathaniel to possibility of what was happening.

Testimony becomes, from this point on the primary task of discipleship. As the disciples spread the word more disciples come to believe in the Messiah.

Thursday, October 23, 2008