The Word Became Flesh
John 1:1-14
International Sunday School Lesson
March 11, 2012
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1 En el principio ya existía el *Verbo,
y el Verbo estaba con Dios,
y el Verbo era Dios.
1 太 初 有 道 ， 道 與 神 同 在 ， 道 就 是 神 。
1 Hapo mwanzo, kabla ya kuwapo kitu kingine cho chote, aliku wapo Neno. Huyo Neno alikuwa pamoja na Mungu, naye alikuwa Mungu.
No matter the language, the words of this, my most favorite verse in the Bible are the same. These are words that stir the soul of those that love Him and those that He is calling. This book is the one I’d recommend to first send the inquisitive or those that are skeptical about God. The book that was “written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31
If I were forced to choose 2 books from the Bible I would choose Romans written by Paul and this one written by the one that Jesus loved, the Apostle John. For me, it is in these two books that I most hear the voice of God.
As you read through the New Testament you can see John change from his Sons of Thunder days as he matures into a complete Christian. We can use John’s writings as eye witness testimony, as motivator, as mentor, as proof, as history, as prophecy, as promises, as warnings.
Of all the writings of John I agree with those that date this writing as his first. If you consider nothing scholarly then the thought that this Apostle would be inspired to share his eyewitness testimony early it seems logical.
As we read this book these beginning first fourteen verses alone we learn from John under inspiration that Jesus and the Father are one and the same and yet different and that like God He always has been. We are told that nothing has ever been created that He did not create including life. In fact He is life and light. We further learn that Christ’s life was the light for men and that this light is available not hidden for it shines in the darkness where man in his unrighteous state lives but for the most part those in darkness do not understand.
Remember back to Christmas to the lesson that included the birth of John the baptist from Luke? Some did not include those verses in their lessons that day but I said God knew better because man would play a part and as in that instance John the Baptist is our example. The Apostle John again under inspiration includes him as well and I am growing in my appreciation for this part of these scriptures. John the Baptist we are told here was a witness for Christ as we should be. John the Baptist’s role was to testify about Him so that men like us even all these centuries later would come to believe. We further can learn by example that it wasn’t about John the Baptist but rather note the word “only”. He was only to witness; it was about Christ, that He was coming.
Christ came into the world in a form that was fully man just like everyone else and we know in hindsight that was not what the world was looking for. Those who were the same, his own, the Jews for the most part did not accept Him in fact they rejected Him and crucified Him.
But some did accept Him and to these first fruits and to us today who believe in Him He gave new life. Not as children of men any longer but children of God a gift of grace that God revealed by becoming man and allowing His glory to be among men. Jesus made known the truth; He revealed the truth of his plan for us and the true picture of who He is.
“No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” John 1:18
For Discussion:
1. As a name for Christ, discuss the title Word.
2. In different translations the word in verse 5 is translated not “understood” but “overcome”. Discuss both interpretations.
3. Discuss verse 7’s “all men” and verse 9’s “every man”.
4. Discuss how verse 8 reminds us that the message of Christ and not the messenger even today is what counts. In general terms talk of where this isn’t happening.
5. Discuss why the world did not recognize Christ.
6. Read Romans 9:30-11:32.
7. Research what the Jewish people say today as to why Jesus wasn’t the Messiah.
8. If you haven’t been sharing the gospel as you should, simply directing people to the book of John is an easy way to begin.
Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries
3-18-12: The Wedding at Cana (Water Turned to Wine) John 2:1-12
3-25-12: God’s Word Saves (Nicodemus Learns of New Birth) John 3:11-21
4-1-12: Jesus Testifies to the Truth John 18:28-37 or John 18:28-38
4-8-12: The Living Word (Jesus Lives) John 20:1-10, 19-20
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment