From the Beginning
John 1:1-35
John opens his gospel story in a much different way than the other Gospel writers. There are no stables, shepherds and donkeys. There isn’t even a baby Jesus. Instead of mirroring the other Gospel accounts, John chooses to parallel the Genesis story. “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1) God speaks the world into being. God’s words bring life. The very vapor that comes from God sets everything in motion. Heaven and earth, ocean and river, grass and flowers, trees and mountains, soaring birds and swimming fish, roaming animals and thinking humans - all alive by the word spoken by God!
John’s gospel carries on the imagery of creation. This time salvation is spoken into existence and His name is Jesus. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (1:5) He has been there from the beginning, now the Word is alive. Light cutting through the darkness.
In order to prepare for Jesus’ arrival, God sends a man to “make a way” or “point out” Jesus. His name was John the Baptist and he was an interesting man. John chose to live away from town, eating a diet of honey and locust. In our modern world, John the Baptist might be considered “that odd vegan, hippie that lives near the river”. When pushed by local leaders, he uses the words of Isaiah 40:3 and refers to himself as “thunder in the desert - making the road straight for the God!” (1:23)
The interesting thing about John the Baptist is he knew what God had called him to do and he dedicated himself to that task or calling. He knew he wasn’t the Savior of the world, but he would point people to Him! “He was a witness of the Light, that all might believe.” (1:7) John was the first “christian witness”; he did what we should be doing. By baptizing, John was helping prepare people for Jesus. John’s baptism was a symbol of internal cleansing, but Jesus would bring true renewal, true healing.
When John sees Jesus, he shouts “here he is, the Lamb of God”. (1:29) This is so powerful! He goes on to say, “I saw the Spirit, like a dove descend upon him and remain.” (1:32) The same vapor or breath that spoke life has now moved into the neighborhood. The importance of this cannot be glossed over. For the first time in human history, the Spirit of the Living God has rested on a man and has not left! Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit!
One of the most shocking claims of Christianity is that God becomes human. While some gods in ancient stories take the form of a human, Jesus is God. The very words and life Himself. John the Baptist saw what no one else saw. When light and life become flesh and bone we have real hope for freedom from the brokenness and darkness of death.
Jesus had to walk among us in order to truly save us. That is because Light cannot be sacrificed. Words alone cannot take away the painful consequences of our sins. The only way our sins can be removed is if the Word can bleed, if the Light can be cut, and if the Life can die. God saw His creation under threat of darkness and death, so He sent Jesus, to die as the ultimate Passover Lamb for us. To secure light and life for all people.