When someone writes a biography of someone else, or they write an autobiography of themselves, they usually begin at the person’s birth. They were born on this date, in that city, and their parents were this and that person, etc. That’s the beginning. That is what Matthew and Luke did in writing their Gospels of Jesus. Mark doesn’t give a birth account, but what about John? He begins his Gospel at the real beginning, going back eons further than Matthew or Luke. John begins his Gospel by reminding us that, though Jesus in His human form did have a beginning in Bethlehem, He has existed from all eternity. The curtain is opened before the birth narratives, and we see the eternal glory of Jesus Christ before He ever took on flesh. Let’s look at what John has to say, and see what we can learn.
As we read these opening verses of John’s Gospel, we do not see Jesus as the Baby born in Bethlehem. Instead, we see Jesus as the eternal Word, as One who is fully God, the Creator, the source of life, the true Light, and the One who became flesh to reveal God to mankind. John clearly shows us here that Jesus is God, the divine second Person of the Trinity.
The opening words of John’s Gospel echo Genesis 1:1, with “In the beginning”. (vs. 1) Jesus existed before creation. He also uses the word “was” here in the imperfect tense. This indicates continuous existence. Jesus didn’t come into being. He already was. He is not a created being (vs. 2). He is eternally “with God”. John refers to Jesus as “The Word”, the perfect expression of God’s mind and character. The Word is distinct from the Father, yet fully God.
Continuing on, John tells us that Jesus Christ is the Creator (vs. 3). He was not merely an agent or an instrument, but was the Creator (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2-3). This also shows us that creation was not random or impersonal, neither was it a product of evolution. Creation was Christ’s personal, deliberate work. John also shows us that Jesus is the source of both physical and spiritual life (vs. 4). Life isn’t just something that He gives to His creation, it is something that Jesus is. And as we read, He not only gives physical life, but even more importantly, Jesus gives eternal life to those who come to Him in faith.
Throughout the Bible, along with other literature and movies, darkness frequently symbolizes or represents sin, rebellion, and evil. John frequently uses that word in this context, as we see in verse 5, along with using the word “Light” to represent Jesus. Satan and his forces of darkness tried to stop Jesus and His Light, however he could not “comprehend”, overcome or extinguish the Light. On the cross, Jesus showed his victory over sin and Satan. Today, even though the world continues to reject Jesus, that does not diminish His glory. As believers, if we continue to follow Jesus, we will never walk in darkness. His light will go before us, and we do not need to fear.
John briefly changes pace in the middle of this passage as he introduces John the Baptist for a couple of verses (vs. 6-8). Even after his execution, John the Baptist maintained some very faithful followers. The Apostle John, though, teaches us that John the Baptist was not the Light, but was a witness to the Light, which that prophet also maintained from the start. Some television preachers should take a lesson from John the Baptist, as a true ministry will point away from oneself, and instead point towards Jesus. He is the only genuine Light. All others are merely reflections. He is the only way to know God.
When Jesus entered into His creation, the world did not recognize Him (vs. 10-13). His own people, the Israelites, rejected Him despite prophecy and having a covenant. However, to those who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, whether Jewish or Gentile, they became a child of God. Some people say and believe that everyone is a child of God, but as we clearly see in verse 12, only those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior are a child of God. God is the Creator of everyone, but He is not the Father of everyone. He loves everyone, but only those who have accepted Jesus as Savior are His children.
In our final verse, verse 14, John speaks of the Incarnation, when God (the Word) became flesh, when God took human nature and became a man. He did not cease to be God, but He added humanity. Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was "full of grace and truth”, which shows a perfect balance - mercy without compromise, and truth without harshness.
When we feel as though no one understands us, we need to remember that Jesus became fully human, and experienced life as we do. He was tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15). He knew grief and sadness. He felt joy and happiness. The only thing that He didn’t experience was sin, however He suffered sins consequences upon the Cross.
This Scripture passage, which shows the real beginning, might not be as well-known as Luke’s or Matthew’s nativity accounts. It is not one that can be nicely portrayed on a Christmas card or display. However it clearly shows some very vital Christian doctrines - the pre-existence of Christ from all eternity as the second Person of the Trinity, and His incarnation. We should keep John’s account in mind at Christmas time, as well as the others.
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