John 1:1

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

               As this is the beginning of the gospel of John there, is not previous context in this book. The first phrase gives us all the context we need, “In the Beginning.” John is starting all the way at the beginning of the story in Genesis to paint a picture of what will be explained throughout the rest of the book. He is making a parallel to the first phrase of the Bible so he can also parallel what comes next in the phrase. In Genesis it says, “In the beginning was God” but in John’s gospel “In the beginning was the Word.” This first phrase is setting up that parallel which will be expanded on further in the verse to show The Word and God are not only equal but are completing the same act in this phrase. It also shows that whatever the Word is has an eternal origin just like God because the Word was not created at the beginning but simply was just like God.

               Not only was the Word in the beginning like God, the next phrase shows that the Word was also with God working alongside of Him. John is showing there is some kind of distinction that can be made between the Word and God. John’s whole purpose with these first two phrases is to show a distinction but also similarity between the Word and God. We have now the Word not only in time with God but also relationally close to God. These two pieces are important to understand because this first verse holds the key to understanding the incarnation, or the fact that God came down to earth in physical form while also still being in heaven. Just as soon as John shows the distinction and clarifies it, he brings it back to an understanding that God and the Word are also the same.

                The last phrase ties up the incarnation making sure there can be no misunderstanding that the Word is God even though there is a distinction that the Word was also with God. This interplay is so crucial because if one piece is missed then the gospel does not make sense. John wants us to understand the Word is with God, showing two people, but then he ties them back together in that they are the same showing that they have the same essence not two separate gods but one God with two personhoods. This can be confusing to us but it is the necessary lens to understand the rest of the gospel.

               John will soon show us as the reader that the Word is Jesus,­ and that Jesus was a man, but that this must never be misunderstood because He is also fully God. This first verse really shows the essence of that fact with two phrases of God and Jesus being the same wrapped in a phrase that shows He is distinct from God because “He is with God.” John wants us to use this as a guide the rest of the gospel.

               When we read about the good news which is the gospels. This first verse must be the key that is used to unlock all of what God is saying to us. Jesus is not just a man who wants us to love and accept everyone, more as some might believe. Jesus is the God-man who has the eternal perspective of what a holy God requires from those with a desire to follow Him. Jesus being God in the flesh allows us to understand the cost of our sins, or what we do that is against God, and how serious that is. As we enter into Easter weekend, I would be remiss if I did not point out that the proof of Jesus’ Godhood is proven in the resurrection. All this comes together to show us the depth of our own unworthiness before God’s holiness but that should not paralyze us. Instead, God invites us in through Jesus and the sacrifice on the cross to a new life where we might be pleasing before God because of what God did on the cross. This is available to everyone who believes in Jesus as God and that His sacrifice is enough to save us. We have no other hope, and I invite everyone, just like Jesus does, to come to Him and be saved.