The Word Became Flesh

The Word Became Flesh
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 was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-15

I have been deep diving into the Gospel of John. This Gospel can be summed up as, the Word Became Flesh.

The Word

The Word in the Hebrew is, Logos which is common Greek for ‘speaking, message.’ It is the spoken Word. In John 1:1 it is all about Jesus! The Prologue is a work of art, declaring the deity of Jesus. John opens his Gospel with a Genesis 1:1-like opus. He uses wording and imagery reminiscent the Pentateuch opening, “In the beginning” (1:1). The Prologue has language designed to introduce the Word as the Son of God. John presents Jesus as God (1:1) referencing His eternal nature (1:2) and His purpose to bring grace and truth (vs. 17).

Another point concerning the Word is Jesus is the expression of the Father. Paul wrote about Jesus in Colossians,

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

The purpose of John writing his Gospel is to share the good news of Jesus to an unbelieving audience, but I would also say, this Gospel is also faith strengthening of the believer. Chapter by chapter, John declares the Word is God using Old Testament imagery and references, as well as an eyewitness accounts. John’s Gospel has a high view of Christ.

Belief is Essential

We all know the verse John 3:16. “For God so loved” declares the heart of the Father which is displayed in His Son. John explicitly argues belief is essential for salvation and leads to eternal life. Belief is also essential for the Christian walk. In the gospel of John, belief is as valuable as breathe in relation to our life in Christ.

The definition of the word Belief is pisteuo – to believe, to have faith, to put trust in something.

We all believe in something or someone, so it is understandable Jesus requires belief in Him as God. John encourages his audience to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, dwelling among His own creation, but he shares the good news of the life and deeds of the Jesus, the second Person of the Godhead. The disciple “whom Jesus loved” does not leave the reader’s reason for belief to chance but, he shares the mission and life of the Word made flesh to give a solid foundation for our faith.

John declares that the Word made flesh came and dwelt among us. This word meant to settle, to live, to pitch a tent. He tabernacled among us, in reference to the Tabernacle in the Exodus. God came and lived among the people He called His own. The God of the Universe is relational. The Gospel of John is not a quick read. I hope I have whetted your appetite!