Jesus The Living Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
(John 1:1, 14)

                One of the most pivotal portions of the New Testament is the prologue to John’s Gospel.  John was most likely the youngest of the apostles and church history says that he outlived them all.  During the later part of his life, he had a significant ministry in Ephesus where he wrote to churches throughout Asia Minor.  1, 2, and 3 John are those letters, and together they emphasize the full humanity of Christ.  John wrote His Gospel about a decade later and in it he emphasized the full deity of Christ.

                The first 18 verses of John make up the Gospel’s prologue.  With his very first words, John’s emphasis is unmistakable – “In the beginning was the Word.”  These words are much like Genesis 1:1, but there is a marked difference.  Genesis 1:1 starts with creation and looks down through the rest of human history.  John 1:1 starts with creation and looks back into eternity.  That’s where John lets us know that Jesus existed when nothing else did.  Through Him all things were made (Col. 1:16).

                Also, “the Word was with God” – Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit had perfect fellowship before humans ever existed.  “The Word was God” – the Greek NT actually reads, “God was the Word.”  John was very clear – Jesus is completely and fully God.  And the great news is, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”  The One who is completely God took on human flesh and became fully man.  Being fully God and fully man, He is fully able to deliver us from our sins.  He is the Living Word!