As John begins his gospel, he wants his readers to know that Jesus is the eternal Son of God. Jesus was with God, and He is God. Everything was created by Christ and for Christ, including you and me. Jesus is the life giver and the life sustainer. As the Creator, Jesus also holds the universe together. And He holds individual lives together.
John calls Jesus the Word. This means that Jesus was the source of God’s message to His people. Jesus was God’s communication to the world. He was God’s voice to the world.
Next, the apostle John presents John the Baptist. John the Baptist was appointed by God to prepare the way for Jesus. He pointed everyone to Jesus as God in flesh and the promised Messiah. He told others to follow Jesus.
The world did not recognize Jesus or know who He was. Even His own Jewish nation rejected Him as Messiah, although God called them to make Himself known to the world.
Finally, John discusses the miracle of spiritual birth. To be born again is to receive a completely new life from God. It is a supernatural experience. It is not from human decision or human effort. No one can decide for someone else.
The way we are born again is by receiving and believing in Jesus. To be a child of God means I have peace, security, and comfort.
Things to Think About
- There is no lasting satisfaction outside of a life lived for Jesus Christ.
- What are you looking to for satisfaction? True, lasting satisfaction can only be found in Jesus.
- To reject Christ as God is to reject God as God.
- Jesus was not simply a prophet, a teacher, or a good man. Jesus is God. He is the long-awaited Messiah.
- Have you confessed Jesus as God and the Lord of your life?
- Jesus Christ gives eternal life to all who receive Him and believe in His name.
- Are you in the majority or the minority? Do you reject and dismiss Christ, or do you worship and obey Him?
- Jesus is the only way to know God.