The Light and Life (John 1:1-5)

Today's scripture: John 1:1-5

I decided to try something different for the next several weeks. I'm going to spend some time journeying through the book of John. I've meditated on epistles and psalms, but I've yet to really focus on one of the gospels. I pray for God's leading as He writes through me.

John starts beautifully with a reminder that Jesus is the very Word of truth who is part of what we Christians call the trinity. God—Father, Son, and Spirit—created the heavens and the earth.  As one of my favorite commentators writes,

The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His existence in the beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Word was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not anything made that was made, from the highest angel to the meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work of our redemption and salvation. (Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Bible)

Jesus is our God and Savior.

Jesus is also Life and Light. Without Him, we are eternally dead to our sins. Without Him, we would not be able to see in this very, very dark world. In fact, those without Him cannot see the truth because all they can see is darkness. When I think of how much sin is readily acceptable in our world, it's very clear how nonbelievers are blind to the Light.

My prayer for each of us as we learn from John is that we understand the words God wants us to, that we see the Light of Jesus, and that we experience the richness of a life in Him.

The Word of Life (1 John 1:1-4)

Today’s scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

For the next few weeks, we’re going to spend time with a member of Jesus’ inner circle. John, the “beloved” disciple chosen by Jesus to care for His mother, walked by Jesus’ side for three years. He ate with Him. Learned from Him. Saw miracle upon miracle. John was Jesus’ intimate friend as well as a devoted follower.

He was an eyewitness. And what he wrote in this first of three short books is truth. The words come from a grateful heart, a joyful heart. And it was his deepest desire that others might know the truth of God—Father, Son, and Spirit.

Jesus. The Word of Life. Through Him we have eternal life. Through Him we have fellowship with the Father.

And John was blessed to have known Him well. And as we spend time reading and meditating on John’s words, we’ll know Him better as well.