Book of John – The Word
Question: In what way does the Apostle John use the concept of “the word” found in First Century Jewish and Greek thought?
John states in his gospel at the 12th Chapter and verse 31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (KJV) So here, at the near end of his gospel, he states the purpose for writing it.
John presents evidence that he carefully selected to prove to us that Christ is “The Word,“ God in the flesh. He furthers his evidence to prove that Jesus is the Messiah (The anointed one, Savior, and Christ), and God’s son from the beginning. In other words, the creator in the flesh.
Before we look at the evidence he provides, let’s look at two profound statements he uses. One, he starts his gospel with, (John 1:1) “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” John is telling us right in the beginning of his gospel that Jesus is the personal word of God whom God had spoken all things into existence. He uses the title “The Word” to also describe Jesus as the perfect revelation and represents the Father’s (creator’s) nature and character. In other words, HE IS God in the human form. (Please refer to John 1:3-5, 14, 18; and Colossians 2:19)
John further shows us in verse 14:9 that Christ as “the word” reveals the heart and mind of God.
John also points out three major characteristics of Jesus Christ as “the word.”
(1) He shows us “the word” in relation to the Father in two ways:
(a) Christ was with God (See also Colossians 1:15) before the creation of the world – He existed from eternity, without beginning or end.
(b) Christ is divine in nature (“the word”) He is God. In other words, Christ has the same nature, character, and quality of being as the Father. (Refer also to Mark 1:11 and Colossians 2:9)
(2) He shows “the word” in relation to the world. John shows us that the world was created by God through Christ. He goes on to show us that not only were they created by Him, but for Him as well. (Refer to John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, and Hebrews 1:2)
(3) John reveals to us “the word” in relation to humanity. Let’s look at verse 14 in Chapter 1: “And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” The word was made flesh. God became a human being, taking on our form, BUT, without our sinful nature. (i.e. he was conceived by the Holy Spirit)
The second profound statement was John 1:14 which was just mentioned and quoted above. This verse tells us Christ, the eternal God, “the word” became a humas being. (please refer also to Philippians 2:5-9 where Paul confirms John’s statement) Christ became united in humanity and deity. He became a human with limitations of human existence in that he would experience all the difficulties and temptations that we face, but, would overcome them without failing God. By virtue of that, he can relate to us in every way. (Also proven in Hebrews 4:15).
John, in starting out his gospel in 1:1-8, shows Christ as the eternal God, In verses 1:14-18, he shows us the incarnation of Christ.
What does John include as evidence in showing us Christ as God in the flesh? I’d like to answer that question in four areas:
(1) First, John shows us seven signs or miracles that are not discussed in the other three gospels. These seven signs (the number seven signifying completion or perfection) point to Christ, “the word” and his divine nature.
(a) Turns water into wine (2:1-12 – Christ as the source of life (a key theme of John where life is used 36 times)
(b) Heals a nobleman’s son (4:46-54 – Jesus is the master of distance)
(c) Heals a lame man at the pool of Bethesda who was lame for thirty-eight years (also 5:1-17 showing Jesus as the master of time)
(d) Jesus feeds the five thousand (6: 1-14 – Jesus is the bread of life)
(e) Jesus walks on the water and calms the storm (6: 15-21 – Jesus controls nature)
(f) Jesus heals a man born blind (9:1-41 – Portrays Jesus as the light of the world)
(g) Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (11:17-45 – Jesus has power over death)
(2) The second thing that John shows us is the seven discourses or teachings of Jesus that reveal his true identity.
(a) The new birth and the Son of God was given for this world (3:1-21)
(b) Jesus talking with the woman of Samaria about living water and then the subsequent conversion of the Samaritans (4: 4-42)
(c) Jesus claims equality with God and speaks of resurrection to life or judgment, and testimony about him (5: 19-47
(d) Jesus is the bread of life (6:22-59)
(f) Jesus shows himself as the light of the world and he warns people of unbelief in that truth (8:12-30)
(g) Jesus portrays himself as the Good Shepherd (10: 1-21)
(3) The third thing that points to his being God in the flesh is his bodily resurrection from the dead, and the divisive proof He is God. (20:31)
(4) The last area I would like to discuss and show in John mentioning that “the word” is God is the seven “I AM” statements. In these seven statements, Jesus reveals his relationship with people and his purpose for restoring their relationship with God:
(a) ”I AM” the bread of life…” (6:35 shows us that Christ is the one who sustains us and nourishes our spiritual life (See also 6:53))
(b) “…I AM the light of the world…” (8:12 shows us Jesus is truth and complete revelation of God’s light. It further shows that those who choose not to follow Him remain in spiritual darkness (See also 1:6-7))
(c) “ I AM the door…” (10:7 – There is only one way to salvation and that’s through faith in Christ (See also 14:6))
(d) “I AM the Good Shepherd…” (10:11 – Jesus is devoted to care for his followers, watching over them, and protecting them from harm (as prophesied in Old Testament – See Psalm 23:1 and Isaiah 40:11)
(e) “…I AM the resurrection and the life…” (11:25 – Jesus shows us he is the only way, the whole truth, and that spiritual life is only available through his life, death, and resurrection)
(f) “I AM the true vine…” (15:1 – Jesus shows us he is the root and true vine, where we believers are his offspring (branches) (See also John 15:5)
God’s written word, Old Testament and New Testament, point to and declare Jesus Christ (“The Word”) IS God.
Take a moment today and contemplate on this thought:
“Without Christ being God and maintaining a perfect life as man, He could not of provided the perfect and permanent atonement for our sins.”
Throughout the gospel of John, Old and New Testaments, God’s word gives Jesus names and titles reserved only for God. For example:
(1) God: Isaiah 9:6, John 20:28, Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:8
(2) Son of God: John 5:25, Matthew 16: 16-17, Mark 14:61-62
(3) The First and the Last: Revelation 1:17, 2:8, 22:13
(4) The Alpha and the Omega: Revelation 1:8, 22:13
(5) The beginning and the end: Revelation 22:13
(6) The Holy One: Hosea 11:9, Acts 3:14
(7) The LORD: Luke 2:11, Acts 4:33, 9:17, 16:31
(8) LORD of all and LORD of Glory: Psalm 24:8-10, Acts 10:36, 1 Corinthians 2:8
The examples above confirm John’s Gospel and claims “the word” is Christ, and “the word” is the Son, and “the word” is God!
Father, it is my prayer that all who read this essay find the truth in your word, who you are, who Jesus is, and that they too become believers in your word that they may too have eternal life through Jesus! Amen
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