1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
Verses 1-3
- Jesus was there before Creation
- Jesus was there at Creation
- It was through Jesus that Creation came to be
Verse 5
- It was Jesus who brought light into the dark
Verses 9-17
- It was Jesus who was prophesied to be the redeemer or messiah (Isaiah 53)
- It was Jesus who came to his own and was rejected
- It is Jesus who offers salvation to all no matter what
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. John 1:17-18
“We know we are sinners because of the morality of the law, but we are not condemned if we accept Christ because of the grace that salvation offers…it is always outworking sin!”
BIG IDEA: John starts his book in the one place that defines Christ above all else, Love.
“Not-yet-Christians are not the enemy, they are victims of the enemy!”