“God with Us”
I. Initial presentation of the Word and His witness 1:1-34
A. Introduction of the Eternal Word, Jesus 1:1-5
B. Introduction to the witness John the Baptist 1:6-8
Many lessons can be drawn from the life of John the Baptist.
• Never assume God intends to say, “No” to your request unless God says, “NO!”
• Provide a godly heritage for your children to become powerful witnesses for Christ.
• Dedicate your children to the service of God.
• Focus on their faithfulness to God not their standing before men.
• Take time to prepare for ministry in the desert with God.
• Be a signpost pointing others the way to dynamic relationship with God.
• Don’t serve for the admiration of men but the affirmation of God.
The Word who was with a God and was God now takes on humanity to be with us.
NEVER take that act of absolute love lightly. What did he come to do? What did he give up to do it?
C. Relationship of the Word to men 1:9-18
1. He enlightens men as the true light 9
There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:9
John continues with the earlier light and life theme. John firmly denied he was the light but THERE (emphatic position), Jesus is the luminary force in this dark world. John utilizes a present tense verb here to indicate the continuous nature of the Word’s activity. “Jesus continually enlightens every man.” This light came into the world to enlighten men in their darkness. Man either receives the light or resists the light. John 3 talks about those who resist the light because of their evil deeds. Later in this chapter John talks about those who receive and believe and those who resist the light. Immediately some questions come to mind regarding this connection to men. What does it mean to enlighten? Greek word “phos” To illumine or turn on a light, provide insight, “shed light on the subject” Jesus came to illumine reality. He came to reveal truth that leads to life.
“In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians
What is the true light as opposed to the false light? Man can only reflect light from the true source. Jesus alone is true light. Others claim to illumine but plunge us farther into darkness. We become like the blind leading the other blind over the precipice. John wants us to recognize Jesus as the source of ultimate reality. Jesus alone can bring us into realization of what life is all about. Jesus entered this world to enlighten man concerning life. If you want answers to the meaning of life you must focus on Jesus.
Not philosophy, technology, computers, Jesus is the source of true light.
2. He entered the world he created 10a
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him,. John 1:10
In the previous verse John talks about Jesus coming into the world. In this verse he focus on his presence in the world. “He was in the world”. This seems to draw our attention to a different relationship to the world than he had before. Did Jesus experience a different perspective of the world as the God\man? John reminds us that even though Jesus walked in the world of men he was the same one who created the world in which he now walked. Why was it necessary for Him to enter the world of men?
Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18
This passage spills over with the Divine rationale for Jesus entering the world he created.
Jesus entered the earth as a man:
• That he would render the devil powerless.
• That he would deliver us from fear of death.
• That he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.
• That he might make propitiation for the sins of the people.
• That he might come to the aid of those who are tempted.
In later passages Jesus acknowledges his physical presence IN the world though he denies being OF the world.
3. He was not recognized or received by everyone 10b-11
and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
Even though the creator of the world physically entered the world of men he was not recognized as the Creator by everyone. He first revealed Himself to His own people the Jews but they did not receive Him. The world did not know Him – to perceive through experience. His own did not receive Him – to take to one’s self, inherit, learn from a teacher. What was the practical difference between those who received Him and those who didn’t’? What did it look like? They all saw His miracles, saw His works, heard His words yet something was missing for some. They did not receive Him. The conclusion is that receiving involves more than intellectual acknowledgment of someone’s existence or even their contribution to society. Many recognized Jesus as a good man. Many acknowledged He could be a prophet. But God required something deeper than that to enter into the life Christ came to give.
4. He is the object of trust for new birth and sonship 12-13
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
To receive is to take to one’s self, seize, collect, acquire.
The implication is a strong desire to have a close relationship.
Belief is absolute trust. Believe is a good word but has come to be misunderstood. We can believe in many things without putting our full trust in it. The kind of receiving and believing necessary for new birth is deep desire and full trust in the person and work of Christ for life. To those who receive Christ this way, God grants the privilege of becoming children of God through new birth. This is not a physical birth due to some aspiration of humans but a birth that comes about by the will of God. John elaborates on this new birth later in chapter three through Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. We are offered a new life, a new birth not as children of earth or children of the kingdom of darkness but children of the one true God.” Imagine being chosen out of the ghetto and absolute poverty to become an adopted child of Bill Gates. Except even more awesome and life changing is our adoption into God’s family.
This truth reverberated through John’s whole being.
See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:1-3
Does this truth reverberate through our who being. Perhaps it is either because we have never come to grips with our utter spiritual poverty or the unimaginable wonder of being chosen as Children of God. Remember who you are! You are children of the Most High God. Born into His family because he wanted you. Born by an act of His will. Born to reflect the very image of the invisible God and one day we will be like our Father. Lift up your heads. Celebrate your heritage. Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and walk in love.
So what did it take to bring about such a wonderful blessing to those who receive and believe in the name of Christ? The eternal 2nd person of the Trinity took on a new existence. Eternal omnipotence took on frail humanity in order to rescue frail humanity.
5. He took on frail humanity in order to live among men 14a
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us”
“became” at a point in time, “flesh” used here in the sense of human form.
“dwelt”
Greek Usage. Of uncertain etymology, ???????? (dwell) consistently means “tent,” although with such nuances as market booth, accommodation in a tent, portable shrine, stage of a theater (originally a framework of pillars with portable walls), cover of a wagon, and cabin on the deck of a ship. The idea of transitoriness is inherent in the term, although later it can have the more general sense of dwelling or lodging.
The eternal word insert Himself not only in the confines of a human frame but also into the framework of time and space. At the right time
But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
What was different than what things were like before? What is the significance of taking on humanity. We looked earlier at the necessity of this event, Paul provides insight into the act itself.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philip. 2:5-11
Paul focuses on the motivation behind the act. He points out an underlying attitude worthy of imitation. Even though Jesus enjoyed a glorious existence with the full exercise of his divinity did not regard such and existence and exercise something to be “grasped” or held onto in favor of an act which would become necessary to achieve another goal. Let’s say I lived in a huge mansion and enjoyed all the glory of fame and money and came to realize the extreme need of some in the community around me. I would be faced with a decision.
Would I consider my comfortable existence something to be help onto at all costs or would I be willing to give up that existence in order to help those in need. Jesus did not consider his glorious position and existence as something to be clutched at all costs but rather willingly “emptied Himself” by taking on frail humanity.
Don’t miss the contrast! Form of God. Form of man. Many of us would not consider giving up any of our comforts to minister to others. Whether it be our time, money, things, comforts. Jesus, at a point in time, actively and willingly “emptied” Himself. Called the “kenosis” from the Greek word “kenow”. The world literally means “to make empty”. The context is Jesus’ environment and position not his person. He does not become less than what he was before but gives up his former privileges and position as the 2nd person of the Trinity.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Cor. 8:9
The exact nature of what is mean here has generated much discussion over the centuries. Even a well-known hymn seeks to draw our attention to the sacrifice made by Christ.
“emptied himself of all but love”. Wonderful sentiment but not necessarily good doctrine. Jesus could not empty himself of his divine nature. He could not become less than fully divine. Had that been the case he could not have become the eternal sacrifice for all mankind. I believe the writer of the well-known Christmas carol “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” carefully captures this momentous truth.
Jesus gave up the privilege and glory of his divine position and authority. He left the continual adoration of heaven to face humiliating obscurity on the earth. He let go the option of unlimited exercise of his divine attributes to go hungry, feel tired, physically hurt, face human suffering with human limitations, learn absolute obedience, resist temptation to escape the uncomfortable, suffer ridicule, pain and death.
Why? though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich
6. His divine glory was recognized by His disciples 1:14b
and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The word used here to “behold” is a world with a strong sense of seeing with astonishment or seeing with perception such as being a witness to an event. John declares that this Word become flesh was no ordinary person. He reflected the very glory of God the Father. It wasn’t just John the writer, but “we” all apostles witnesses it. Glory is a word used to indicate splendor, honor, amazement, eliciting a high belief or opinion regarding a person or thing. Everything manifests glory in some way. It is the amazement and wonder drawn from observers when something operates well. Glorious touchdown pass. Amazing speech.
Glorious sunset. Glorious act of courage. Jesus exhibited the glory, the wonder, the amazement generated by God Himself. That is because He was God Himself. So John continues hammering his theme by appealing to John the Baptist’s testimony.
7. He existed before all men 15
John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' " John 1:15
John the apostle quotes John the Baptist in regard to Jesus. “He not only surpasses my position on this earth, he existed before me.” In this quote John recognizes Jesus preexistence because in time and space, Jesus was born physically after John the Baptist.
8. He impacted those around Him 16
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. John 1:16
John further describes the relationship of the word to them personally. He did not come to float over the earth and observe or interact with man from a distance. The Word came to dwell among men and give himself to eternally impact those touched by Him. We did not just observe or witness his glory, we all received personal benefit from the presence of Jesus. That benefit manifested in the form of grace (favor) against grace (favor). The preposition was often used to indicate an exchange of some kind. i.e. “serpent for a fish”
Here Christ continually exchanged grace for grace. One act of grace replacing another over and over again. Just as new manna appeared every morning. His mercies are new every morning. The disciples continually enjoyed experience after experience of Christ’s grace.
John compares the ministry of Moses to Jesus.
9. Grace and truth were realized through Him 17
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
Here John clearly identifies “the Word” as Jesus Christ. So that there is no mistake, John ties old and new. Moses was God’s messenger to illuminate man’s rebellious bent through the Law. Jesus was God’s messenger to demonstrate both grace and truth. Not many developed a relationship with the law-giver only the LAW. Jesus came to restore relationship with the law-giver by demonstrating both grace and truth.
10. He came to explain the Father to men 18
No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:18
John further explains the Word’s relationship to the world of men by revealing his purpose to explain the Father in terms we could understand.
He has at a point in time demonstrate the Father by how He Himself lived and what he said. How did Jesus explain the Father? He not only spoke but lived the Father. Jesus came that we might see God’s compassion, his passion for relationship, His power, his grace, his faithfulness, his mercy, his forgiveness, his touch. So often in this writing Jesus identifies with the Father. I see the father’s works. I do the father’s works. Later in chapter 14 Philip will ask that Jesus reveal the Father to them.
Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen (perfect) Me has seen (perfect) the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:8-9
Jesus took on humanity but retained his deity that we might rise above the difficulty of relating to fire, wind, a cloud, a voice, a thunder roll, a lightening strike. If you want to know God you must know Jesus. We can know Him as we find him in his word. We can know him as we see him live in others. We can know him as we experience a personal walk day by day and talk with him.
Our vision is a people who powerfully speak the words of Christ and passionately works the works of Christ. If we do, we are doing the very works of God.
Conclusion
John begins his symphony with themes concerning the Deity of Christ.
John adds melodic themes regarding the relationship of Christ to the world of men.
• He enlightens men as the true light 9
• He entered the world he created 10a
• He was not recognized Him or received by everyone 10b-11
• He is the object of belief for new birth and sonship 12-13
• He took on frail humanity in order to identify with frail humanity 14a
• His Divine glory was tangibly recognized by His disciples 1:14b
• He existed before all men 15
• He deeply impacted those around Him by his fullness 16
• He is the ultimate realization of Grace and truth 17
• He came to explain the Father to men 18
Have you come to recognize Jesus as the Christ?
Have you come to recognize the glory of Christ as the glory of the Father.
Have you experience the impact of his fullness and receive his grace upon grace?
Are you a child of God?
The promise is clear and compelling.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, John 1:12
He who has the son, has it all and become an heir and joint heir of all things!
