Reading For Monday John 1:1-18

The Gospel of John begins with words that repeat the opening words of the book of Genesis. The phrase, in the beginning, is not simply pointing out history, chronology or a timeline. No, John introduces us to the "Word" of God who is God and therefore he is eternal and was an active agent in creation of the cosmos. He is is preeminent and the ultimate cause and reality for all things. It is the "Word" that created the universe and communicates very God. This eternal and creative "Word" became a human being in order to display God’s character and show God’s love. It was through Jesus that everything was created and he is the source of life and light for all people everywhere. John makes a clear distinction between Jesus and John the Baptist. John the Baptist is solely a witness to the true light, which is Jesus. John (the author) relates the painful truth that will produce so much conflict in this story, namely that Jesus, the creator and light of the world, comes to his own people and they fail to recognize him. Instead, they will criticize, reject, and kill him. He is rejected by his own people, but accepted by some. For those that believe in him, he makes them the children of God because they are born of God. 

John relates something quite extraordinary. The eternal "Word" of God condescends to us and becomes like his creation. He becomes flesh, taking to himself our human nature. Jesus dwelt among his people, which points to the way in which God had camped with his people in the tent of meeting during their wilderness wanderings. John and the other disciples saw the glory of God in the life of Jesus. This same Jesus is the very essence of grace and truth. Moses wanted to see the glory of God but Jesus radiates that glory. Moses and the law points to grace but Jesus performs grace. Moses reports the words of God but Jesus is the word of God. No one has seen God but Jesus makes him known. 

Things To Consider:

• Why do you think John begins his account with the beginning of beginnings?  
• What does this tell us about Jesus?  
• How does John the Baptist point to the Messiah? How does this connect the Old and New Testaments?  
• Why do you think people do not recognize Jesus?  
• Why is family such an important theme in scripture?  
• Why did Jesus become a human?  
• How did becoming like his creation accomplish his saving work?  
• How is his incarnation and act of grace toward us?