John 1
Posted: October 10, 2014

John 1 mirrors the same message as the beginning of Genesis.   God was present in the beginning.  And, if our mind can accept such things...before the beginning.    Jesus was introduced to us in human form in a cattle stall several thousand years ago, but He was God before that.    Along with the rest of the Godhead He is responsible for the creation.   He is the manifestation of the Word.   Therefore, when we read the Bible, and especially when it is spoken aloud, we are hearing from Jesus Christ.   He IS the message of salvation, the fulcrum on which all human history pivots, .

John denies being Elijah, but Malachi says that he will go on "in the spirit of Elijah".  That would mean he would be a prophet (which he is).
John defends his ministry to the priests and Levites when they were sent to ask him if he was the Christ by quoting a passage from Isaiah.   John knew his role in this grand production.  He knew how his ministry would dovetail into the greater message.
 I can't imagine a clearer introduction than the one John gave to Jesus.   He literally says several times "Look, there He is".   If you respected John's message at all, then you would immediately recognize Jesus.   I wonder why John didn't lose every single one of his disciples that day?   When John says someone greater than him is here, and then points them out...why not follow Him?   John would certainly not have objected.    Maybe it's the same mindset that causes us to follow pastors instead of Christ.

Jesus was identified by John with the name "Lamb of God" , and who can miss the significance of it?  Only the lamb can take away the sin stain from our soul.  A lamb was the preferred offering before the time of Christ's appearing to atone for sin.   (Leviticus 4:32).   In Revelation we see a person "looking like a lamb that has been slain" entering the very center of heaven and breaking the seals on the scroll.  No one could do it, except for the Lamb.
By the way, the old testament specifies a female lamb.  Further proof that although God appeared to humans in the male form, He is more than male or female.  All our characteristics come from Him, both male and female.   Therefore, He is more clearly and accurately seen by men and women worshiping together than by men or women worshiping alone.

The calling of the first disciples is recorded here:  John (the disciple and author of this book) and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist.  They were the first two disciples to hear and follow Christ.   Andrew runs and tells his brother Peter, and along the way they pick up Phillip.  Phillip immediately tells his friend Nathaniel, which makes five.

It's interesting, because Nathaniel is one of the first disciples, like Andrew....but we don't know very much about them.

PR