In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:1-5
The opening prologue of John’s Gospel, like the beginning words of Hebrews, is stunning in its description of Jesus. Perhaps no more profound words have ever been written. Here are clear declarations on the nature of the deity of Christ. And yet, there is mystery here and depths to fuel hours of contemplation. And even after those hours, one would have but scratched the surface of understanding what each statement means.
Who is this Word? It is clearly a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. What do we learn of this Word in these verses? Bishop J.C. Ryle sets out the teaching in five lessons. In this prologue, we see that the Lord Jesus Christ is:
Eternal - in the beginning was the Word
A person distinct from God the Father, and yet one with Him - the Word was with God
Very God - the Word was God
Creator of all things - by Him were all things made, and without Him was not anything made that was made
The source of all spiritual life and light - in Him was life, and the life was the light of men
These lessons, however, are not simply intellectual pieces of data to which we noddingly give consent. Bishop Ryle offers these reflections on what we learn of Jesus from these verses. I think his words are worthy of our own consideration. He writes,
Would we know, for one thing, the exceeding sinfulness of sin? Let us often read these first five verses of St. John’s Gospel. Let us mark what kind of Being the Redeemer of mankind must needs be, in order to provide eternal redemption for sinners. If no one less than the Eternal God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, could take away the sin of the world, sin must be a far more abominable thing in the sight of God than most men suppose. The right measure of sin’s sinfulness is the dignity of Him who came into the world to save sinners. If Christ is so great, then sin must indeed be sinful!
Would we know, for another thing, the strength of a true Christian’s foundation for hope? Let us often read these first five verses of St. John’s Gospel. Let us mark that the Saviour in whom the believer is bid to trust is nothing less than the Eternal God, One able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father by Him. He that was “with God,” and “was God,” is also “Emmanuel, God with us.” Let us thank God that our help is laid on One that is mighty. In ourselves we are great sinners. But in Jesus Christ we have a great Saviour. He is a strong foundation-stone, able to bear the weight of a world’s sin. He that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.
Saints, our hope is built on nothing less than a strong Savior, whose blood and righteousness secure for us a safe place. A place where all our sins are atoned for once for all time. A place where we are restored to fellowship with our Creator. And a place where we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ, where we are becoming truly human. Hallelujah! What a Savior!!
