The Word

John opens his Gospel with the exact words that we find in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning,” recalling the imagery of the creation account and showing us how Jesus fits into the story. He presents that the same Jesus that came to earth and died was not just a good man or a good teacher, but the Word of God, the Son of God, and he was there from the beginning. John declares, “Jesus is the Word, and the Word is God!” A bold statement to begin a Gospel with!

So, let’s first look at what “The Word” means. When we speak of words, we think of communication, but John is not just talking about communication here but words that create. Think of authors like JRR Tolkien, C.S Lewis, or J.K Rowling, who created fantastic worlds gripping millions’ imaginations with words. God creates and communicates through his Word. But his Word is not just a tool at his creative disposal. The Word is a divine person (Jesus) and was with God and is co-equally God. One cannot exist without the other. Jesus was always one with the Father, as the beloved Son of the Father – an eternal relationship. 

The second thing John wants you to know is Jesus came “from heaven to earth,” Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. How revolutionary is this? We all watch the Marvel movies hoping to have a demi-god fight for us, but John trumps that. The Word, the Son of God, came and wanted to hang around with us, and why? To reveal the Father to us.  No one, except the Son, could reveal the Father to you. 

So, he came, fully human and fully God relating to all humankind, knowing what it is to experience suffering, pain, yet also perfect. So that we might know God better, he came in the fullness of grace and truth to show us God and to bring salvation to all.