John 1:1 – The Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

The “Word” that John refers to in his telling of the gospel of Christ, is a reference to Jesus. We know this because in the same chapter he states “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (1:14)

John begins his telling of the gospel by making clear that Jesus Christ was there “in the beginning,” and “through him all things were made.” (1:3) Yes, in the creation described in Genesis, Jesus was there. Not only was Jesus there, but John makes clear that He was “with God.” And not only was Jesus, “with God,” He “was God.”

Why is this the truth that John was inspired, by God, to start his writing with? Because, this is the foundation of the truth by which we are saved. We are saved by believing that Jesus Christ is Lord, and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. The promised Savior, who left His throne in Heaven to walk this earth, fully man and fully God, to die on a cross and rise again, reconciling the sins of all mankind, and fulfilling the Mosaic Law.

By understanding the truth contained in this verse, we combat a large percentage of the false teachings we see in our world. If we understand that Jesus was there “In the beginning,” being with God and being God, we begin to understand the Trinity. That Jesus is the Son of God, and yet has existed from the beginning. That God, the Father, and Jesus were together in creation, indicating that they are separate and unique. That Jesus was God in the “beginning,” indicating that He did not become God, but always has been God. By understanding this verse we access the life saving, and life giving, power of the gospel.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank you for making your truths known to us. We thank you for giving us the words that clearly combat false teaching or confusion. Help us to understand who You are, and that by understanding we may believe in You, have relationship with You, and have life through You.