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John begins by lifting our eyes higher than Bethlehem, higher than the Jordan, and even higher than creation itself. Before anything was made, Jesus already was. He is the eternal Word, fully with God and fully God, the One through whom all things were made (John 1:1–3). In Him is life, and that life is the light for a dark world that cannot overcome Him (John 1:4–5). John the Baptist was sent to bear witness to that Light, but he was never the Light himself (John 1:6–8). When the true Light came into the world, many did not know Him, and even many of His own people did not receive Him (John 1:9–11). Yet to all who do receive Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God — not by human effort, family line, or fleshly will, but by God’s saving work (John 1:12–13; cf. John 3:3–8).
Then John gives one of the most staggering truths in all of Scripture: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Jesus did not stop being God; He took on humanity so that the glory of God could be seen in Him, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, 17–18; cf. Ex. 34:6). The law came through Moses, but in Jesus the fullness of God’s grace and truth has now been revealed (John 1:16–17). No one has ever seen God fully, but the Son has made Him known (John 1:18). John the Baptist makes this clear when he points to Jesus and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus is not only the eternal Word but also the promised Lamb, the Son of God, and the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:29–34; cf. Isa. 53:7; 1 Cor. 5:7).
The rest of the chapter shows what true witness looks like. John points away from himself to Jesus (John 1:35–37). Andrew comes to Jesus and then brings Peter (John 1:40–42). Jesus calls Philip, and Philip goes and tells Nathanael, inviting him to “Come and see” (John 1:43–46). As these first disciples meet Jesus, they begin to confess who He is: Rabbi, Messiah, Son of God, and King of Israel (John 1:38, 41, 49). Jesus promises that they will see even greater things, because He is the true meeting place between heaven and earth, the Son of Man in whom God reveals Himself and brings sinners near (John 1:50–51; cf. Gen. 28:12–17; Dan. 7:13–14).
🌀 Reflection:
John 1 asks us the most important question we could ever answer: What will we do with Jesus? It is not enough to admire Him from a distance or speak well of Him in general terms. We must receive Him, believe in His name, and follow where He leads. The eternal Word became flesh so that sinners like us could know God, be forgiven, and become His children.
💬 Mission Challenge:
Invite someone to “come and see” Jesus by sharing John 1:29 or John 1:14 with them today and telling them why those verses matter to you.
Continue reading in our NT260 plan in the rest of Phase 4 — That You May Believe.
Just Keith Harris 