John 1 Devotional: Explore the eternal deity of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Witness the testimony of John the Baptist and the calling of the first disciples in this profound opening to the Gospel of John.Â
Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to the beginning of the Gospel of John. While the other Gospels begin with genealogies or birth narratives, John takes us back before the dawn of time. He invites us to behold the majesty of the One who was with God and who is God. Let us approach these holy words with awe, for we are standing on the ground of eternity.Â
The Eternal Word and the Light of Men
John 1 is a theological masterpiece that identifies Jesus as "The Word" (Logos). It declares that He is co-eternal with the Father, the Agent of all creation, and the source of all life and light. As your Statement of Faith affirms, we believe in one true God who eternally exists in three persons, and here we see the Son in perfect union with the Father. The chapter reaches its pinnacle in verse 14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This is the doctrine of the Incarnationâfully God and fully man, entering our broken world to reveal Godâs glory.
What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see that Salvation is a gift of Godâs grace. John tells us that to those who receive Him and believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of Godâborn not of human will, but of God. We also see the humble witness of John the Baptist, who pointed away from himself to the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." This sets the pattern for the Christian life: we are not the Light, but we are witnesses to the Light. Whether we are like Andrew, who immediately told his brother, or Nathanael, who had his doubts removed by a personal encounter, we are all called to "Come and see" the Savior.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made 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.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
John wrote, "From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." As we enter into prayer, let us come to the fountain of that abundance and receive the grace we need for today.Â
Dear Heavenly Father, We worship You today as the Creator and sovereign Lord of all things. We believe that Jesus Christ is Your eternal Son, the Word who was with You in the beginning. Thank You for the miracle of the Incarnationâthat You did not remain distant, but became flesh to dwell among us, full of grace and truth.
Lord, I ask that Your light would shine into every dark corner of my heart today. Help me to live fully as a child of God, born again by Your Holy Spirit. Give me the humility of John the Baptist, that I might decrease so that Christ may increase in my life. I want to be a faithful witness to the Light in my workplace, my home, and my community. When I encounter those who are searching, give me the simple courage to say, "Come and see," pointing them to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
We pray for the universal Church, the body of Christ; may we reflect Your glory and truth to a world that is often lost in darkness. We lift up those who do not yet believe that Jesus is the Son of God; we ask that the Holy Spirit would regenerate their hearts and reveal Your saving grace to them. We pray for the nations of the earth, that the light of the Gospel would break through every barrier of unbelief. Thank You, Lord, that in Christ, we have seen Your face and received Your life. Amen.
John the Baptist knew his mission was to point people to Jesus, saying, "He must become greater; I must become less." In what area of your life today can you step back so that Christ's character and glory can be more clearly seen?Â
Why is Jesus called "The Word"? The Greek word Logos implies the expression of a mind. Jesus is the perfect expression of God's character, thoughts, and will. Just as our words reveal our hearts, Jesus reveals the heart of the Father to us.
What does it mean to be "born of God"? This refers to regeneration by the Holy Spirit. It is a spiritual rebirth that happens when a person believes in Jesus Christ, making them a new creation and a member of Godâs eternal Kingdom.
What is the significance of the title "Lamb of God"? This points to the substitutionary atonement. In the Old Testament, lambs were sacrificed for sin; John is identifying Jesus as the final, perfect sacrifice who would give His life to take away the sins of the world once and for all.
Thank you for joining us for the powerful opening of John 1. May the Light of the World guide your steps and the Grace of the Word fill your heart today. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the first miracle in John Chapter 2.Â
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