The Word

This month we begin a new study in Sunday School: the Gospel of John.

There is something special in the Gospel of John. On the surface it is one of the easiest to understand of all the Gospels. Below the surface it is deep. This is because of the author (more to be explained in 2 weeks) is more than just an uneducated fisherman from Galilee (Acts 2:7). Not only was John a disciple of Jesus (which would be enough), but there is family background and experience which shows up in the background of John’s gospel.

John’s gospel is like taking a ship across the Pacific. From the deck of the ship we see a vast expanse of water and horizon. But there is also a different world: what is below the surface. The Pacific Ocean is deep (especially below in an area known as the Mariana Trench), and there is a lot below the surface which can be seen by divers and submarines. As I write this blog (each week I hope to add something), I want to look at what is below the surface that would be missed if you only skim the surface.

The Gospel of John begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

The Gospel of John opens in the beginning and before the beginning. Many say only God existed before the beginning. Philo, a Jewish philosopher from Alexandria said there was something else. Within God was the concept of all of creation. He calls this the Logos. God spoke a word (logos) and the Bible says, “there was light.”

Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46). Genesis 1:4 says, “God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46) John tells us, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5) “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Pr 1:7) Wisdom personified in Proverbs 8:22-23 says, “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.” “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place” (Proverbs 3:19)

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word (logos) is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17-19)

In the beginning was the Word ... and we are to share the Word so all will know Him.