HOPE PERSONIFIED - JOHN 1:1-17
The Gospel of John sets forth, without question, the deity of Jesus Christ. If Jesus was
just a “prophet,” as Islam teaches, or a “good man,” “teacher,” or “religious figure,” as
many believe; our faith in Him would be futile. John drives this point home in chapter
one in order to “ignite” believing faith in his readers. He knew their faith and hope
would be limited with a watered down perspective of Christ. John wanted them to
see, regardless of the challenges they faced, that Christ is our ultimate source of divine
hope, “God personified!” In our text the apostle gives us four distinct characteristics
related to the deity of Christ.
First - Christ is the Word. (v.1-3) – “Word” in the Greek language here is “Logos” (from
Lego) meaning: to lay forth a set discourse, motive or computation. Notice: (v.1) two
attributes of the Word. 1) The Word was “with God.” – that is, in “special”
relationship of eternal fellowship in the trinity. He was “with God” in the “beginning” –
(Greek) “arche” (ar khay’) meaning: in order, time, and place. In Genesis 1:1 “In the
Beginning God created the heavens and the earth” – the Hebrew word for
“beginning” “re’chiyth” (ray-sheeth) – holds the same meaning as the Greek word for
beginning – first in, place, time, and order. Thus, John is clearly assigning to Christ the
office of “God,” the same place, time, and order of deity!
2) The Word “was God.” The J.W.’s translate (v.1b), “the Word was a god” – thus,
discounting the deity of Christ. This, however, is incorrect and promotes “polytheism,”
the belief in more than one God. (Isaiah 45:21) And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a
Savior; There is none besides Me. One of the identifying trademarks of any “cult” is their
willingness to undo the deification of Christ; by distorting His claim to be God (John
10:30; 17:22), in order to make Him equal, or subservient to other religions. However,
John provides further evidence of Christ “deity” by assigning to Him an attribute
unique to God, Creator! (v.3). Only God can create, satan can only imitate, and
exaggerate! A November 3, 2015 article from Tomorrow’s World, entitled: “What Holds the Universe
Together?” reads:
Astrophysicists look into the heavens and capture images and data with various scientific instruments. They know
that the total mass of all matter is not enough to provide the gravity needed to keep everything in the universe
from flying apart. They are left to ponder the question, “What is it that is holding the universe together?” The
answer did not come in Einstein’s day, nor has it yet come in our day. But today there is a theory that seeks to
unify the physics principles of both the cosmic and molecular levels. It is called superstring theory. String theory
says that everything consists of combinations of vibrating strands or loops which appear as the various subatomic
particles having differing mass and force, depending on the frequency of vibration. Of course, debate continues
along with continued study of this theory. And already there is an extension of string theory, named M-theory,
which seeks to unify the various string theories. And there are small but growing numbers of theoretical
physicists who are becoming dissatisfied with string theory altogether, and are looking to other theories for the
explanation that has long eluded them. http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/what-holds-the-universetogether#sthash.a04U8e83.dpuf
Scripture offers a more simple explanation. (Colossians 1:17) And He is before all things, and in Him
all things consist. The word “consist” – (Greek) sunistao; meaning: to strengthen - from
another Greek word “sunistemi” (soon-is-tay-mee) – “sun” meaning: “union”; and
“histemi” meaning: to stand. The “good news” is not only does Christ hold the
universe together; but He also holds us together; when everything seems to be “falling
apart” – we can stand in Him!
The second characteristic John reveals is – Christ is the Light. (v.4-9) His “life” is the
“light” of mankind! John the Baptist was a witness to this fact (v.6-8); this was the
mission of John the Baptist, as we will see in more detail later in this chapter. (v.5) The
Greek word for “comprehend” can also be translated “overcome.” No matter how
“black” the darkness, we find in this world, it will never overcome the “light” of Christ!
One candle will dispel any form of darkness; let Christ, the light within you, “shine!”
(Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in
Christ is the true light, lighting the pathway to eternal life! People claim to have
“enlightenment,” but apart from Christ is it not true light, (v.9). As the saying goes,
The light at the end of your tunnel might be an oncoming train!
heaven.
Jesus came into the world but the world, even His own people, did not receive Him!
The world did not receive Him because it loves “darkness.” (John 3:19-20) And this is the
condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. The Jews rejected Him because He wasn’t a “political leader.” (Luke 19:4142) Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this
your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
Note: the
absurdity of (v.10). Movie: “The Race” (Jesse Owens – Black American athlete from Ohio State University
who earned “four” gold medals in the 1936 Olympics; had to enter a banquet in his “honor” through the back of a
In the same sense, “ignorance,” caused by
worldly lust and self-seeking, has “blinded” many to that which “makes for their
peace!” Another aspect of the light of Christ – it gives us hope in dark times. (Micah 7:8)
hotel in a freight elevator – due to racial ignorance).
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.
The third characteristic related to Christ’s deity: Christ is the only Authorization.
(v.12, 13). Only through faith (trust) in Jesus do we have the “right” (Greek) exousia
(ex-oo-see'-ah); privilege, i.e. capacity, competency, freedom – to call ourselves
“children of God!” Being a child of God is not some “religious” experience, but a divine
“work” of God! (v.13). Jesus told Nicodemus (a religious Jew) “You must be born
again,” by the “Spirit of God,” who bears witness to our adoption, as children of God!
(Galatians 4:6-7) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out,
"Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
The fourth characteristic of Christ’s deity; Christ is the only Revelation. (v.14 - 17).
Jesus is the very express image of God, on earth! Hebrews 1:3; the greatest revelation
of all time, Christ the “God man” - God taking on human form and dwelling with men!
Pastor and Author A. J. F. Behrends (beer-rends) once wrote: “Jesus Christ is God in the form of man; as
John the
Baptist bore witness to Christ being both God and man, (v.15b); “before” – implies: in
time, space, order, and importance.
completely God as if he were not man; as completely man as if he were not God.” A.J.F. Behrends
Christ was manifested (revealed) for our righteousness and raised for our justification!
Romans 4:25. His revelation was according to “grace” and “truth,” (v.14b). Both were
necessary in order to bring about our salvation. All “grace” without truth produces
spiritual anarchy (carnality); all “truth” without grace and we have legalism (fear);
(v.17) our salvation has been established according to “grace” and “truth,” rather than
the “law!” Jesus came with grace and truth; both must exist in an “authentic”
relationship with Christ. His words may “cut us,” but like a master surgeon, He only
cuts to “heal!” (v.16) the phrase; “grace for grace” literally means, “grace in place of
grace” – one blessing after another. God leads His children from “glory” to “glory,”
even when life seems to take us from “grief” to “grief!” (2 Corinthians 3:18) But we all, with
unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from
glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
CONCLUSION: Because Christ is the Word, Light, Authorization, and Revelation of
God, there is no mountain so high that He is not “higher” still, or a chasm so wide that
He cannot fill. He is our everlasting hope personified, through an everlasting
priesthood! (ttt) Hebrews 7:24-28. Communion is a constant reminder of this eternal
truth.