Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus. Mark starts at the Jordan River with the preaching of John the Baptist. Luke dedicates his work to Theophilus and the prophecy of John the Baptist’s birth. Christ is revealed in John as the eternal Son of God, the Word that was made flesh and the Creator of all things. John’s Gospel gives persuasive proof of the deity of Jesus Christ.
John 1:1-5 NKJV 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 nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
The first witness of John the Apostle is that Jesus is the Living Word, John 1:1-5. This passage is one of the highest points of Scripture.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is…
- the Word of God
- the Creator of Life
- the being and essence of Life – (The substance of life is in Him.)
These three truths require deep thought to understand their meaning.
On the surface these words can be misunderstood. They give us some of the strongest language declaring the deity of Jesus Christ. These are foundation truths of life that determine our destiny. If Jesus Christ is the Word of God, then we must hear that Word and understand it. If we fail to hear and understand, we will be lost forever in ignorance of God Himself. The only possibility for eternal life is in Jesus Christ.
The Word— Jesus Christ, Son of God
John 1:1-2 NKJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
Three profound statements are made about the Word, Jesus Christ.
1. Jesus Christ was pre-existent. This means He existed before creation. He had always existed. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
a. “In the beginning” does not mean from the creation. Jesus Christ was already there. He did not become and He was not created. He never had a beginning and He will never have an ending. He “was in the beginning with God.”
b. The word “was” in the Greek is often used for deity. It means “to be” or “I am.” “To be” or “I am” refers to God’s continuous existence. When God revealed Himself to Moses and the children of Israel, He said, “I AM WHO I AM,” (Exodus 3:14). He is without beginning or origin. He is without end or conclusion. These terms reveal the eternal nature of God. Listen to these definitive statements about God.
Psalm 90:2 NKJV Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
God was before the earth was formed. He is the everlasting God.
Proverbs 8:23 NKJV I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
We often look at the mountains and think of everlasting, but God was before there was ever an earth. Hold on to that thought and look at John 17:5.
John 17:5 NKJV And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
The testimony of John is that Jesus Christ is the Word, the One who had always existed. He is the Son of the living God.
John 1:1-2 NKJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was withGod, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
2. Christ was not only pre-existent, He was co-existent. He was and is face to face with God forever. The Greek word “with” means both being “with” and “acting on the same level.” The word literally means “toward,” implying a face-to-face relationship. Jesus Christ (the Word) was both with God and acted with God. He was “with God” and was moving, living and acting in unity with God. Being “with God” indicates the closest possible relationship.
Jesus the Christ had the ideal and perfect eternal relationship with God the Father. This is exactly what is said:“He was in the beginning with God,” (John 1:2). Their life together — their relationship, communion, fellowship, and connection — was a perfect eternal bond.This refers to the diversity and unity of the trinity.
1 John 1:1-2 NKJV That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Fatherand was manifested to us.
The testimony of John was that Jesus Christ was the Living Word. He was the One Who had always co-existed with God the Father. Jesus Christ was/is the eternal Son of the living God.
John 1:1-2 NKJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
3. John did not say that “the Word” was “a god.” He says, “The Word” was “God.”
Jesus Christ, “The Word” — was God. John is unequivocally stating that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. Jesus possesses all of the quality, nature and character of God the Father. This is a declaration of the identity of Jesus Christ the Son of God. He is not the identical person of God the Father, but He is a perfect revelation of God. John is showing the face-to-face relationship that Jesus had with the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 NKJV Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Colossians 1:15 NKJV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Colossians 2:9 NKJV For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily form.
Revelation 19:16 NKJV And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
John’s testimony is that Jesus Christ is the Word. Christ must be revealed to us as the self-existent and eternal Son of God. He is the Supreme Majesty of the universe. He owes His existence to no one. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of the living God.
This reveals three critical things about Jesus Christ.
1) Jesus Christ reveals God. Jesus said: “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.” He reveals all that God is and wants to say to man. If we are going to know God, we must diligently study and know Christ. We must carefully consider and obediently regard everything Jesus says and does.
2) Christ perfectly reveals God. He is just like God the Father. He has had an eternal face-to-face relationship with the Father. He is identical to God the Father in nature and character. When we look at Christ, we know what God the Father is like.
3) Jesus Christ reveals that God is the most wonderful Person. God is far beyond what anyone could dream. God is LOVE, and there is no greater love. He is full of goodness and truth. He is awesome in power and pure in holiness. He cannot tolerate injustices. He will not tolerate murder and stealing. He will not tolerate lying and cheating.
The very nature of Christ is…
- to exist eternally in a perfect state of being
- to exist in an eternally perfect communion and fellowship with the Father
Now think about this! The purpose for Christ coming into this world is to impart His nature and life into believers. These things will become our experience.
John 14:20 NKJV At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
Romans 8:29 NKJV For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV 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.
Philippians 3:21 NKJV Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
1 John 3:2 NKJV Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Go back to John 1:3
John reveals Jesus Christ as the Creator.
John 1:3 NKJV All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
“All things” means every detail of creation—not just creation as a whole, but every single detail. All things refers to things known and things unknown. Each element, molecule, atom; every proton, neutron, or electron is made by Him. The totality of any and all objects or mass is made by Him. Each being and person is created by Him. Every material and spiritual thing is His creation. Everything past, present and future is His creation. Every angelic or human thing is His. Everything has come into being by Christ. Nothing was made without Him.
Colossians 1:16 NKJV For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
John 1:3 NKJV All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
The words “were made” means — came into being or came into existence, to generate or cause to become.
What is this saying? Nothing existed without Christ. There was no substance or matter whatsoever without Jesus Christ.
Matter is not eternal. God did not take something that existed that was outside of Himself and create. He did not use something that was imperfect to create the world.
Christ, the Word, took nothing but His will and power and created everything by His Word. He spoke the Word and every single thing was created out of nothing. He took hold of nothing and created everything.
Jesus Christ created all things—one by one. He was the active Agent in the Godhead. He was the Person who made all things. Creation was His function and work. John is revealing the true identity of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:6 NKJV Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
Hebrews 1:2 NKJV Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.
John 1:3 NKJV All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
John makes two statements of fact.
- The positive statement of fact: “All things were made by Him.”
- The absolute statement of fact: “Without Him was not anything made that was made.”
Christ was actively involved in the creation of every single thing: “Without Him was not anything made.” The words “not anything” means not even one SINGLE thing, not even a detail was made apart from Him. This is a declaration of God’s power, involvement, and control.
This is a critical point for humanity. The world is God’s. He made it and every element of it. Every element finds its beginning and existence in Him.
This means several things.
1) God is not far removed from the world. He is involved in everything He has created. He has not withdrawn from the things He brought into existence.
2) He is concerned and interested in everything that happens. God cares about the world. He cares deeply about the most minute detail and smallest person. He cares about everything and every person in the world.He is mindful of the birds of the air and the grass of the field.
3) The problems of the world are not due to God or His attitude. The problems of the world are a result of sin.They come as a result of the attitude of man’s evil heart. God has offered the only solution for our problems.
4) The answer to the world’s problems is not from man or his skill. God’s answer is Jesus Christ. The answer for men is to turn to Christ, surrender and give their lives to Him. Then, and only then, can men set their lives and world in order as God intends.
