John 1

John 1 begins with the description of the Incarnate Word. John, in his attempt to present Jesus as the Messiah to the Jews and the savior for the gentiles, begins his gospel with one of the best descriptions of Jesus in the entire Bible.

"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."

First of all, why does John refer to Jesus as "the Word?" Oftentimes I think that we as christians think of the Bible (the Word of God) in the right way. We know that it is God-inspired and truthful, but also, as it says in Hebrews 4:12, "The Word of God is living and active..." The Bible is an amazing existence that is direct communication between us and God. In this light, the parallel between Jesus and "the Word" is not difficult to see. Christ is the embodiment of God's word; in other words, His will, love, grace, and sovereignty. Jesus came to Earth to reveal God's character to the world and offer salvation.

"(12) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

The idea of the Incarnate Word is the idea of a part of the Trinity willing to come to Earth, to meet us where we are in our sin and wretched state, to show us God's glory, grace, and truth.

Yet, as we see in verses 10-11, not all answer the call.

"(10) He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not receive him. (11) He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him."

Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, came to Earth and gave us the opportunity to respond through him to God's grace and love, regardless of our where or to whom we were born. Anyone, if they receive Jesus and believe him, is offered the opportunity to become a child of God.

Nathan Albers | Student

Nathan is an eighteen year old senior at Hutto High School and has been attending Hutto Bible Church since its beginning in 2007. Nathan's parents are elder Tom Albers and Cindy Albers.