March 2021

In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1, NASB). The Word was active in creation. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host (universe).

-Psalm 33:6, NASB-

The Word was with God, and the Word was God. The divine Word (the Logos) and God were exactly alike. The Apostle John writes about the eternal preexistence of the Word who he identifies as Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us before Abraham was born, I am(John 8:58, NASB). John tells us Jesus, the Son of Man, was He who descended from heaven. (John 3:13).

All things came into being through Him (John 1:3 NASB). God… has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world(Hebrews 1:1-2, NASB).

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome it).

-John 1:5, NASB)- When a flashlight shines in the darkness it shows what is ahead of us. It is a “spiritual flashlight” that shows us the giver of life. There is another kind of darkness. It is  spiritual blindness. It is a state of mind that refuses to acknowledge the giver of life.

Our study next week will be from John 1:6-13.

The book of John was written by John who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

His name is not mentioned in the book. The man is John the Baptist.

He was a witness of the true Messiah. John the Baptist said Jesus is the true Light of the world. What does the Light mean? Jesus reveals (sees into) what is in our hearts. The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NASB). Jesus Christ only can free us from sin.   

We must believe in the Messiah who is our true Deliverer. To confess He is divine, that he is the Son of God, and to place our faith in Him. We who have faith in Jesus Christ are given the authority (right) to be children of God.

When I was in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, I had an experience that made me feel like I was in heaven. As I looked over the landscape everything was covered with a blue haze. Once again, I was amazed God had created a beautiful earth. When we see the beauty in nature how can we not believe in God?  

Next week’s study – John 1:14-18

God has revealed himself in various ways. In the incarnation (appearance in human form) the Word (Jesus) became man. At the transfiguration, Jesus shined like the sun, and His garments became as white as light (Matthew 17:2, NASB). It was known as Shekinah, the visible symbol of God. Jesus is the true Shekinah.

Jesus was full of grace and truth. There is no limit to God’s grace for His people. “The Law revealed only a part of truth… (the) full truth toward which the Law pointed came through the person of Jesus Christ” (John MacArthur).

No one has seen God at any time (John 1:18, NASB). Adam Clarke says, “The Logos (Word) and the Only begotten are identical.” The Light (vv. 7 & 8) is identical with the incarnate Word. Jesus says, “…no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him” (Matthew 11:27, NASB)

Next week’s study – John 1:19-34