John 1 – What a great chapter to begin with. The majority of the chapter deals with the relationship between Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and John the Baptist, the one who would come before him to prepare the way for Jesus. The author of this Gospel, the apostle John, and John the Baptist are not the same person.
v. 1 and 2 speak of the Word of God, who was with God, and who was God. Jesus Christ is the ultimate Word of God. Our bible is the word with a small w. Jesus is the Word with a capital “W.” This means that Jesus is the full expression of what God has to say. Everything God wants us to know can be summed up in the character, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is God’s ultimate Word.
I love then how much of the rest of the chapter speaks of John the Baptist. John was a forerunner to Jesus, meaning he came before Jesus to prepare the way in people’s hearts.
v. 6 – 8 There came a man who was sent from God: his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him, men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
I think these verses not only describe John, but also can relate to our lives. Are we sent from God? Just as John had his specific call, you too have a call from God – to be a man or a woman who is sent from God. Our call is to be a witness to the light of Jesus in our world. As a witness, we just share what we have seen, and what we know of Jesus according to God’s Word. We are witnesses. We are not the judge of others. We are not the prosecuting attorney, the defense attorney, or the jury in the lives of others. We are the witnesses of Jesus. We are not the light people need. We are called to reveal and witness to the true light of Jesus Christ.
As you read through the rest of the chapter, much of it focuses on John the Baptist. But look who John keeps focusing on. He did not come to draw attention to Himself. He keeps leading, pointing, and directing people to the true light that has come into the world – Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh (v.14)
How are you doing as a witness? Do you realize that as a Christian, you are one who is sent from God? Do you know that this world needs men and women like you?
So what did you get out of John chapter 1? Ask God to speak to you. Grace and peace as we start 2009 together.
