“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-5, 14 NKJV
Only two times in the Bible is the phrase, “In the beginning,” used to open a book of scripture. In both cases, this refers to the Uncaused Cause, as non-religious creation scientists would call it; the force, person or factor which started all that is and ever will be, as we know it. Without delving into Creationism versus Evolution, let’s focus on John’s insistence of using the term, “the Word,” to describe the creative force God used to bring it all about.
In case one is uncertain of the metaphor John is employing, he clarifies a bit in verse 14, stating, “(T)he Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . ..” If that’s still unclear, John’s testimony, taken with that of the other Gospel writers, nails it down in verse 15; “John (the Baptist) bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.”‘” (John 1:15 NKJV)
Jesus of Nazareth, the One called The Christ, was present with God at creation, was in fact the very creative force by which all was brought into being. It is an interesting study to go back to Genesis 1 and note each day of creation, where some version of the pairing, “God said . . ., and it was so,” is used. From the foundation of the world, Jesus was there, knowing that putting all this into play meant He would have to personally intervene, coming in the form of a man, to provide redemption for His fallen creation.
Knowing our faults and failings, knowing it meant He would have to live as one of us, suffer as we do and die as we all will so that He could conquer death, giving us a way back to the Father – knowing all that, still He made us. John includes that in today’s passage, as well, referring to Jesus as the Word of God, the light which beckons us to follow and the source of life everlasting.
Having told His followers, “‘As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world,’” (John 9:5 NKJV) Jesus knew that when He left, there still needed to be a beacon in the darkness. That is why He left us here, as His representatives, salt and light to a world in need of savor and enlightenment.
As happened with Him, the light we convey to the world is often misunderstood. As we continue to let His light shine through us, those trapped in darkness will in time begin to see and be drawn to His light.
This, then, is our calling. Speak His word, as the oracles of God; listen as His Spirit directs, then boldly proclaim it to those in need. Shine His light in the darkness; the darkness cannot overwhelm the light held forth steadfastly, so don’t get discouraged. Be an agent of life to those who are dying. Let the creative force of the Word of God flow through. He will make all things new.
Related Scriptures
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NKJV)
“And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:17 NKJV)
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” I John 1:1-3 NKJV)
“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13 NKJV)
“‘And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.’” (John 17:5 NKJV)
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (I John 5:20 NKJV)
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” (Psalms 33:6 NKJV)
“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:8-12 NKJV)
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV)
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” (Hebrews 1:1-4 NKJV)
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (I John 5:11 NKJV)
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 NKJV)
“‘I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.’” (John 12:46 NKJV)
“‘And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.’” (John 3:19 NKJV)
“And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.” (Matthew 1:16 NKJV)
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:1-4 NKJV)
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV)
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7 NKJV)
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.” (I Timothy 3:16 NKJV)
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NKJV)
“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” (I John 4:2-3 NKJV)
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (II John 1:7 NKJV)
“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:
‘I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.’” (Hebrews 2:11-12 NKJV)
“‘The glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’” Isaiah 40:5 NKJV)
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (II Peter 1:16-18 NKJV)
“‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” (John 8:32 NKJV)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6 NKJV)
“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’” (John 18:37 NKJV)
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20 NKJV)
