Sat, Sep 12, 2009
VoM|Jesus Messiah: John 1:1-3
John 1:1-3 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
As John records his testimony of the person and work of Jesus Christ, he begins at the most reasonable point, namely, the beginning. John is explaining and defending the deity of Christ. In 1:1, as he defends his argument for Jesus’ deity, John makes 3 basic arguments.
Jesus’ Eternal Existence
“In the beginning was the Word…”
From the beginning of time Jesus already existed. To say that Jesus existed before the beginning is equal to saying that Jesus had no beginning. This is precisely the argument that John is making, namely, the eternal nature of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ Eternal Existence with God
“…and the Word was with God…”
From eternity past, Jesus has existed in fellowship with God. Jesus is not some eternal cosmic being who is separated from God, or in opposition to God. Rather, he has existed for all eternity at the Father’s side.
Jesus’ Eternal Existence as God
“…and the Word was God.”
We can see clearly from the previous clause (”the Word was with God”) that there is some type of distinction between the Father and the Son; however, this is not a distinction of deity. Rather, Jesus is God in the very same way that the Father is God. Yet, there is an aspect of relationship between the two, so in that sense there is a distinction. The Father and the Son are one in their essence, yet distinct in their persons.
All Things Made Through Jesus
1:1 makes it very clear that Jesus existed before the beginning, and therefore he had no beginning. In 1:3, John continues to build on this concept as he defends Jesus’ deity.
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
In this verse, John is arguing that Jesus had no beginning – he was not created. John is teaching that Jesus created everything in order to demonstrate that Jesus was not created. The logical flow of John’s argument looks something like this:
1. All things were made by Jesus; therefore
2. Nothing that was made (i.e., everything) was made apart from Jesus; therefore
3. Since Jesus created everything which was made it is impossible for Jesus to have been made; therefore
4. Jesus was not created; rather, he has existed eternally as God.
Jesus is the Son of God, an equal person of the Trinity, God in the flesh, the promised Messiah, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. That is the theme of the beginning of John’s gospel, and it will be a recurring theme throughout.
Father, open our eyes to behold your Son; to worship him and treasure him above all things!
By His Grace – For His Glory
Follow Us:
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
As John records his testimony of the person and work of Jesus Christ, he begins at the most reasonable point, namely, the beginning. John is explaining and defending the deity of Christ. In 1:1, as he defends his argument for Jesus’ deity, John makes 3 basic arguments.
Jesus’ Eternal Existence
“In the beginning was the Word…”
From the beginning of time Jesus already existed. To say that Jesus existed before the beginning is equal to saying that Jesus had no beginning. This is precisely the argument that John is making, namely, the eternal nature of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ Eternal Existence with God
“…and the Word was with God…”
From eternity past, Jesus has existed in fellowship with God. Jesus is not some eternal cosmic being who is separated from God, or in opposition to God. Rather, he has existed for all eternity at the Father’s side.
Jesus’ Eternal Existence as God
“…and the Word was God.”
We can see clearly from the previous clause (”the Word was with God”) that there is some type of distinction between the Father and the Son; however, this is not a distinction of deity. Rather, Jesus is God in the very same way that the Father is God. Yet, there is an aspect of relationship between the two, so in that sense there is a distinction. The Father and the Son are one in their essence, yet distinct in their persons.
All Things Made Through Jesus
1:1 makes it very clear that Jesus existed before the beginning, and therefore he had no beginning. In 1:3, John continues to build on this concept as he defends Jesus’ deity.
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
In this verse, John is arguing that Jesus had no beginning – he was not created. John is teaching that Jesus created everything in order to demonstrate that Jesus was not created. The logical flow of John’s argument looks something like this:
1. All things were made by Jesus; therefore
2. Nothing that was made (i.e., everything) was made apart from Jesus; therefore
3. Since Jesus created everything which was made it is impossible for Jesus to have been made; therefore
4. Jesus was not created; rather, he has existed eternally as God.
Jesus is the Son of God, an equal person of the Trinity, God in the flesh, the promised Messiah, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. That is the theme of the beginning of John’s gospel, and it will be a recurring theme throughout.
Father, open our eyes to behold your Son; to worship him and treasure him above all things!
By His Grace – For His Glory
Follow Us:
VoM|Posts - http://bit.ly/19VfUP
Twitter - http://bit.ly/2jzl0v
Facebook - http://bit.ly/1zH5MI
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