Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 1; John 1:1-14.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:1-3)
The book of Genesis begins with the phrase, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). John makes an unmistakable parallel here as he introduces his audience to Christ. The point is clear, and will be made elsewhere in John’s gospel – Jesus is “equal with” the Father (John 5:17-18) and is “one” with the Father (John 10:30).
These first three verses in John’s gospel lay the foundation for a belief in the deity of Christ:
- Jesus “was with God” (v. 1), implying fellowship and oneness.
- Jesus “was God” (v. 1) which is an explicit statement affirming the deity of Christ.
- Jesus “was in the beginning with God” (v. 2), implying His eternality.
- Jesus was the Creator through whom “all things came into being” (v. 3), showing His power as God.
John makes it clear to his audience that Jesus was not just a man. He was God in the flesh (Matthew 1:23; Colossians 2:9). Those who witnessed Him “saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
The Lord whom we serve was not just a man. He was the Son of God – God in the flesh. Because of this, He is the only one who can save us.
Tomorrow’s reading: Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
