JESUS CHRIST, THE WORD St. John 1:1

One of the best Christological verses in the bible is found in St. John 1:1, which says: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The verse before us tells us unequivocally that Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God, with this verse emphasizing the “deity of Jesus Christ.” By “deity” I mean that Christ (“the anointed one”), and Jesus (“His human name”) was fully God. John gives us a beautiful presentation of the Godhead of Christ. The One who was announced by the angels to the shepherds, who walked these mundane shores for thirty-three years, who presented many miracles to authenticate His claims, who was rejected by His people, who was crucified, and yet rose triumphantly from the grave, was none other than the matchless Son of God.

The Gospel writer here presents Jesus Christ as the “word.”  It is through words that we make known the extent of our thoughts.  Therefore, words become a medium of expression.  The “word” (logos-the Greek for word) articulated fully the essence of God in human terms.  Jesus Christ came to reveal God more fully to finite man.  The expression, “In the beginning,” is an expression that transcends our level of finite thought, for we are not able to comprehend this elevated expression; yet John wants us to know that  – “In the beginning,” Jesus Christ had a pre-existence.  You see, the expression, “In the beginning,” the article “the” is left out in the Greek and should read: “in beginning.”  Before time or creation, Jesus Christ as the Word had a pre-existence.  This expression carries us out to a dateless existence, to a remote point of existence which our minds cannot grasp.  Can you contemplate this thought:  “not only was Christ from the beginning, but He was in the beginning.  This expression transcends Genesis 1:1, and points us to pre-existence before time or creation.  Not only does the Apostle John argue for the pre-existence, but he says that Christ had communion with God, and yet distinct in person as member of the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

Lastly, John says:  “And the word was God.  Jesus Christ is God and came to this sinful earth to reveal God more fully to finite creatures like you and I.  Yes, the world may be confused but those of us who have accepted God’s final revelation to man know that Jesus Christ is God, and as the God-man, came to die for sinful mankind so that man through acceptance of Christ’s finished work on the cross, and triumphant victory over sin, death and the grave might have a righteous standing before God (Romans 5:1).  For your spiritual consideration, let us camp in the Gospel of John, and dine sufficiently from his lofty presentation of Jesus Christ.

May God Bless!