Here are some notes from the first half of chapter one. Please share your insights, questions and perspectives from this reading. I look forward to hearing from you.
The Gospel of John
Chapter One
In the Beginning (vv. 1-5)
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
· By sharing the same introduction as Genesis 1, “In the beginning”, John expresses the continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian writings (New Testament).
· Just as God creates the universe by speaking it into creation (Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a) so God continues the creative process through God’s Son, who is with God and who is God (John 1: 1-5).
· Jesus, the Messiah, is the Word and the Word is with God and always has been God. Nothing in this world can exist without it originating with God and the Messiah (the Word).
John the Baptist (vv. 6-8)
· There had been some confusion about the role of John the Baptist in contrast to the role of Jesus, the Messiah. Historically in Israel, Teachers, Prophets and Rabbis were referred to as “lights” or “lamps”. They instructed people by their teachings. John was sent to bear witness to the Light (the Messiah). However, John is referred to as a light as well (John 5:35). The distinction is seen in verse 9 where Jesus is referred to as “the true light”. This doesn’t mean that John was a false light, but that his light was of a different quality than Jesus’ light. John’s light was not the true brilliant light of the Messiah but it was a light, nonetheless.
The True Light (vv. 9-18)
· The “Light” or “Lamp” enlightened those who learned from them - teachers of the Law. In Israel, the Rabbis and Teachers guided people to conform to the Law or Torah which was their enlightening. Enlightenment here is not a philosophical understanding as much as it was a practice of obedience to God’s teachings. The uniqueness of Jesus the Messiah is that he brings enlightenment not by conformity to the Law but by faith in Jesus as the Messiah which is grace and truth (v.17).
John the Baptist and Jesus (vv. 19-34)
· The distinction between these two continues here. John is not the agent of revelation – the Spirit is. John sees the Spirit come and remain on Jesus and he testifies to it (v.33).
· The descent of the Spirit upon Jesus marks him as God’s anointed.
· John baptizes with water for the repentance of sins, but Jesus baptized with water and the Spirit for the gift of faith. Jesus can baptize with the Spirit because the Spirit is upon him and remains with him (v.33). This means that the Spirit has a continuing relationship with Jesus. In I Samuel 10:10 the Spirit anoints Saul. In I Samuel 16:13-14 the Spirit anoints David. In 2 Samuel 7:14, David’s son (offspring) is called God’s son and the anointed.
· The Anointed is the literal translation of Messiah. So, Jesus is referred to as the Anointed – the Messiah.
· Just as God breathed on Adam in Genesis 2:7, so Jesus gives his Spirit to his disciples, after Easter, by breathing on them.
God's Easter Blessings on your reading!
Pastor Steve
I'm enjoying your blog. It's very helpful to someone like me who needs more understanding of just the words in the Book. Thank you for doing this.
ReplyDeleteI really liked:
"The uniqueness of Jesus the Messiah is that he brings enlightenment not by conformity to the Law but by faith in Jesus as the Messiah."
v 4 In him was life and that life was the light of men.
ReplyDeleteThis is so profound to me - that life is from God, that life IS God and God is what actually sustains us, not anything else!
My family spent “Easter dinner” at Disney on Ice. (You can do things less traditional when you don’t have family in town. Ha! Ha!) There were periods of complete darkness during the show. Paige was sitting on my lap and each time the darkness surrounded us she’d wrap my arms tighter around her and ask, “Where is the light, Momma?” Don’t we all search for the light when surrounded by darkness? I know I do! It gives me hope, a sense of security, peace….just like Jesus! I love the way John describes Jesus as light!
vv 9-18
I am so thankful for all of the spiritual teachers in my life! My prayer is that I continue to be “enlightened” (by being obedient to God). I also pray that I will not get in the way of having God use me the way He’d like in order to teach others – my daughter, my husband, friends, family, others…. I also pray that there will come a time when I focus less on my obedience and more on the power of Jesus – that I see that His grace and truth have set me free.
v 29
“….who takes away the sin of the world.” AMEN!
“Lamb of God” After studying more of the Old Testament this past year, this phrase means so much more to me. Lambs were used in sacrifices to make atonement for the Israelites (Pastor Steve, feel free to make additions, corrections, clarifications, etc. to my statements here.) and Jesus was the last sacrifice, once and for all, to take away the sins of all those who believe in him and accept him as Savior. I am amazed at all of the parallels between the Old and New Testaments and how much the Old Testament foreshadows Jesus.
In the Old Testament, God dwelled among His people in a tabernacle. I am thankful to have the Holy Spirit now living inside of me, God dwelling inside of me! It is reassuring to know that I have some help in the process of becoming more like Jesus, the way God wants me to live. I struggle to listen and to hear the Holy Spirit loud and clear. I’m always second-guessing myself and many times think it would be a lot easier if God could just send me an email or something for reassurance. As a parent, I struggle with how to explain the Holy Spirit to Paige and pray that she will be able to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to her loud and clear.
I started a post then lost it, so sorry if I repeat.
ReplyDeleteSorry I've joined late, my wife stole my bible (that's like "The dog ate my homework!")
I've always loved vs. 14 "The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us." I wish I had lived in Jesus' day. I probably would not have appreciated living with God, just like the disciples didn't realize it at the time, but maybe by the end of my life I would have figured out that I rubbed shoulders with God. Unbelievable that God loves me so much that He became human, hung out with us for a while. That's love!