John 1
by Philip Layton
Jesus is the Word made flesh and the Lamb of God
Discussion Questions
- Who is the Word made flesh?
- Is the Word also God?
- Why do you think John the Baptist called Jesus ‘the Lamb of God’?
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Going Deeper from 'Words of Life'
When we read the opening verse of John’s Gospel, we immediately think back to the opening verse of Genesis. Yet here it is slightly different: In the beginning was the Word – or the logos (λόγος) in Greek. What is the significance?
Logos signifies the outward form by which the inward thinking is expressed. In other words, to both think and speak out a specific thought. Thus, we have the Absolute and only God speaking, manifesting himself to the world. The Logos uttered; Christ, being the mediator between God and the world; Logos, who always was, and now is, and will always be.
When we see John referring to the Word in reference to Christ, we know he’s speaking of a personal God. We think of a voice – God’s voice speaking forth to his children, then and now. And this Word actually became flesh, in the very person of Jesus Christ. He was the revelation of God to the world. God incarnate.
In this profound ‘prologue’ to John’s Gospel, the writer wants to identify the ‘Messenger’ of this good news to the world. And the startling information he gives is this: the Message and the Messenger are one and the same!
This extraordinary news of the Word becoming flesh contains four basic truths. First, the Word has always been with God as a distinct Person. Second, the mission of the Word is to enable people to have everlasting life. Third, this same mission of the Word is both successful and unsuccessful – depending upon the response it evokes. And fourth, the Word is historical fact – an identifiable human being, Jesus Christ; fully divine, fully human.
All glory be to him!
Beverly Ivany
Tags: John