Jan. 30, 2008 - JOHN 1-2
The book of John has so much in it to discuss. As I read it, I thought how could I ever discuss it because there is so much to say and to digest and to think about. So, I'll start with the beginning.
The Bible tells us in John 1:1 that "In the beginning was the Word (it already existed). The Word was with God and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
I know that every time that I read this, I am still amazed. How can everything be created through the Word (Jesus). How did He give life to everything. That amazes me. Then I began to think as I continued to read that so far the first two chapters of John point to Jesus' role to bring life and bring us into the knowledge of grace and truth.
He existed from the beginning and was an agent in the creation and life gving of everything. We know that and see that, but the rest of the two chapters point to His light and life giving abilities. Jesus came to the world. He created it yet he wasn't recognized as the light of the world. But he would come as the kinsmen redeemer and be the bridge to the Father, that to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. He was the life giver in creation but was also the life giver through the redemption process. By accepting him as Lord and Saviour, the door to the Father and eternal life was opened through the new birth! He was full of grace and truth and gave freely grace and truth to us. And through him, God is revealed to us. Jesus, himself, said that He was the stairway between heaven and earth (John 1:51)
John the Baptist taught about the light. He knew the light (Jesus was his relative), but He didn't know that Jesus was the light (the Messiah) until Jesus came to be baptized and was revealed to him by God. The Holy Spirit shown above Jesus in the form of a dove. This was the sign the God told John the Baptist to look for. John used baptism as an outward sign of purification, but Jesus would do what non other could do. He gave life by offering forgiveness of sins (The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Romans 6:23).
As we go into chapter two, we see His first miracle (turning water into wine). When I read it this time what I realized is that the significance wasn't what he did in the miracle but what it signified. This was to show that the atonement process would be better through Jesus that through the original way of the animal sacrifice. In the old testament, atonement ocurred through the sacrifice of an animal offered up to God on your behalf by a priest. But now, once and for all, the blood would be shed and this time the later would be better than the former.
Jesus told the servants to take six stone pots that were used for ceremonial washing. According to my bible, Jewish ceremonial law said that people became unclean by touching objects of everyday life. Before eating, some water, from these stone pots that could hold 20-30 gallons, would be poured over the hands to cleanse the people of any bad influences associated with what they had touched. Likewise, Jesus' blood would be poured out on the cross to cleanse us form the contamination of sin. The significance of the water from the ceremonial pots can be paralled to the significance of the blood. The are both used to cleanse. When the bridegroom came to taste the wine he exclaimed, "A host always servers the best wine first. Then when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!" Jesus' first miracle (though about wine) showed that the latest/new way to purify (through the blood of Jesus), though it was saved for last, is the best, the complete and only way. God save the best for last!
The last thing I have to say is about Jesus in the Temple (chapter 2). My prayer is we will be like Christ... that the passion for God's house and people (italics added by me) would consume us. What did God reveal to you? Please share.
Father, I thank you for a time to study your Word. I thank you that you are faithful to give understaning and revelation to those that seek your face. Pour out your spirit of each of us who will join together to search your Word. Let us be like Christ who revealed your glory through His life. We love you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Next week is chapter 3! See you then.
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