The Word and the Light

John 1

JOHN 1:1-51

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

6There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

19This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26John answered them saying, “I baptize *in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27“It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30“This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31“I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing *in water.” 32John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33“I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize *in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34“I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

35Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39He *said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the *tenth hour. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas”(which is translated Peter).

43The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He *found Philip. And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip *found Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip *said to him, “Come and see.” 47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and *said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

JOHN 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Before the disease—there was a cure

There is so much that could be said about this book—about its history and the importance John put upon translating the Gospel into terms that would inspire both Greek and Jew. The focus of John’s Gospel is clear: Before God created us, before he gave us free will, he knew that we would fall short of his glory. He knew we would choose sin and with sin would come death.

And, yet… God still created us. He still gave us free will, he still gave us choice and he still called us into being. God chose to offer us the opportunity to love him back—even though he knew that gift would cause him pain.

However, before God breathed us, he breathed salvation. Before sin occurred, love existed. Before death was life and before sickness, God breathed the cure.

God created the antidote before we chose the poison. Jesus was not a Band-Aid; he was the cure.

The world is filled with pleasures, but only God can offer joy. Sin is only possible to those with free will. Love is only possible for someone who has free will. Choice is a prerequisite to love. Yet, in a diseased world, wholeness can seem so foreign as to appear like an illness. If everyone is ignorant—the wise are considered fools. God became human so that we might see wholeness.

The Word that is power

To both Jew and Greek, the spoken word was powerful. It was alive and indeed, had a life of its own. Once spoken, the word would never come back. It would continue on course like a cascading river to either reap destruction or give life.

The power of God’s Word was creation. Scripture tells us that all things [pas, G3956] were spoken into being by the Word. The term, “all things” means thoroughly and permantly. It is spatial and relational, temporal and infinite.

The Greeks believed the “Word [logos, G3056]” was both reason and purpose. In the same fashion, the Jews believed the Word brought cosmos, not chaos.

God himself eagerly anticipates speaking the Word into our lives. He is ready to be our reason, purpose and cosmos in the midst of this world’s chaos. He is willing to bring wholeness to our lives thoroughly and always. That includes in this moment as well as forever; it includes our relationships and every facet of our lives. God is willing to bring purpose to our pain and reason to our confusion. He is the source of infinite hope; a peace that surpasses understanding.

Yet, power is only good when it is directed. What good is a powerful car without a steering wheel? What good is a powerful horse without reins? What good is a life undirected? Even love can become a destructive force when it lacks intentionality!

Over the years, I have learned the first step in recovering a broken life is to bring order to the chaos. Helping a person (family, organization) name their values and begin to develop habits and relationships around those values are the building blocks to a healthy life. God is so willing to offer us recovery that he not only granted us the written word, but the living Word as well. We can see what God looks like when we look at Jesus. We can see what fulfillment is when we look at the Anointed One. We can understand heavenly power when we see the powerlessness of the Evil One in the presence of enduring love. We can even experience the presence of the Word through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Word can be written on our hearts and flow freely from our being.

However, we have to give the reins over to the one who is all-powerful. It is the Gospel paradox that in order to be free we must be servants. In order to be whole, we must be broken. In order to tap into God’s power, we must become weak. God will not take control—we must give it.

The light that dwells within

In order to understand the fullness of John’s prologue, we have to understand the fullness of the words John chose for this verse.

· Light [phos, G5457];

Light not only implies luminescence but also comprehension and “to make manifest.” The Light of God not only gives us a clearer picture of the world—but it adds to our understanding. To be “made manifest” means that the light not only shines around us—but it becomes a part of us. We become light as we inculcate the light. In other words, no matter where we are—we can become living candles as a result of Christ’s empowering light. The light literally takes up its dwelling inside of us!

· Darkness [skotia, G4653];

Darkness is a term that applies not only to the lack of light; it also means a lack of understanding and even “obscurity.” To be “in the darkness” then, is not just lacking luminosity, it is also lacking identity and purpose. True darkness is to die as if you’ve never lived. It is ignorance (choosing to ignore) rather than lack of knowledge (never having known).

· To comprehend [katalambano, 2638];

“The darkness did not comprehend it.” Here is a description of the man who chooses ignorance over lack of knowledge. This verb implies an unwillingness to seize, be pruned like a healthy vine or eagerly take an opportunity. It does not convey a sense of a person who cannot understand concepts. It describes a person who is offered a full-ride to a prestigious school but spends his time skipping classes and getting drunk. That person is not only wasting his time—but he is using money that could have gone to other people who will never get the offer because of this person’s insolence.

“Carpe diem,” incites John. “Seize the day.” Choose responsibility over ignorance, choose humility over pride, choose self-righteousness over self-denial; all of those terms mean choosing light over darkness.

We are left with a picture of a man who is offered the highest gift—but chooses leisure and luxury and blows the family fortune pursuing personal pleasure. Yet, we know this story all too well. It is the story of the Prodigal (the wasted) Son. It is our story.

Choosing Jesus is seizing the hand offered in the darkness. Not to die as though we’ve never lived—but to live as though dying doesn’t matter. “Death where is thy victory? O Death, where is thy sting?” [1 Cor 15:55]

The place where Jesus rested

No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained {Him} [John 1:18].

The incredible fact that the Son of God left his heavenly realm to take on the worn flesh of man dominates this reading. Jesus told Peter that—without assistance from God—it is a concept too difficult for us to grasp [Matthew 16:17]. How can we attempt to imagine a God who loved his creation so much that he was willing to let his only son die that we might be united?

Overshadowed by the majesty of Verse 14 (“...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”), is a humble verse that offers great insight into our Lord. “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him [1:18].”

In this eclipsed verse, our Lord’s resting place is revealed. Pressed on every side, marching to his death, bearing up under the weight of man’s sin, Jesus rests in the bosom of God.

Where do I find rest?

John the Beloved rested on Jesus’ bosom at the last supper. Lazarus rested on Abraham’s bosom upon death. The bay where Paul and his captors found safe harbor was called a ‘bosom’. The man who forgives and offers mercy will find God’s wealth of forgiveness and mercy overflow into his lap (also the same word as ‘bosom’).

Our Jesus found all of these things in the bosom of God and we—like John the Beloved—are invited to find them on the bosom of our Lord.

It is not outside the storm we find rest. Even Lazarus, resting on Abraham’s heavenly bosom is accosted by the cries of Diva (the rich man) who still bawls out from hell to maneuver the beggar. The beloved John finds rest in the storm of the last night of the Lord’s earthly life. Paul finds safe harbor in the midst of captivity and a storm. Finally, our Lord promises us that blessings come to our bosom/lap in measure to our mercy and forgiveness.

So, where did Jesus find rest? Where is the “bosom of God?”

God’s bosom is less a place of hiding than a state of union. It is less a building than a tent, less an altar than a knapsack. In fact, God’s bosom would be counterpoint to the gospel if we had to run to it in order to escape trials. Rather, God is already with us when we call out to him in trials.

Look for the Lord’s bosom—not in a place where you can go—but in a place where he can come.

PRAYER

“Lord, I seek your rest—not the world’s comfort. Take me to the storm where safe harbor is needed. Lead me to where those pressed need comfort in their hearts; not under their butts.”

JOHN 1:4-5

4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men

We’ve examined the word for light; let’s examine the word for life. Life [G2222] meant not just being alive but being fully alive. Experiencing life to the absolute fullest. In Christ we not only have full life, but the nature of full living also comes to light.

We see that being fully alive means a compassionate and giving existence, something beyond self-fixation. In my work with inmates and institutionalized foster teens, I realize they cannot know the fullness of life until they are giving to others. This is perhaps one of the greatest faults of systemic thinking regarding young people today. We have taken away opportunities for them to give to others. They are compassion-deprived.

Wealth is the ability to give and you never experience yourself as wealthy until you’re able to give to others. You can have billions and still feel poor if you cannot share. Alternatively, you can have next to nothing and if you share bread with your neighbor, you are wealthy.

How does one find an illuminating purpose to life without the ability to give? Kindergartners can give to each other and to the elderly; older youth in schools can give to the young ones. This is how people find purpose to life and joy—in essence, our joy is found in giving, not in receiving or taking. But how are young people supposed to experience this unless we set up opportunities for them to do so?

Justice can never be taught from a book no more than swimming from the deck. A good instructor must be in the water inviting pupils to jump into their arms. A good justice instructor will be well-known among the vulnerable community and lead the way with invitation.

The darkness did not comprehend it

The Darkness [G4655] was living, a being not just a place. It had a mind that couldn’t comprehend life or light. How can hatred understand forgiveness or ego understand humility? How can evil understand love?

JOHN 1:6-8

Multiple purposes

Most scholars believe this Gospel was written by request from the memory of the last-living disciple. It was probably penned by the Christian community at Ephesus some seventy years after the death of Jesus. It is thought to have been edited by a highly respected leader of the church who was also named John but called simply; “The Elder.” Many believe it to be a cumulative review of questions asked of “John the Beloved” in his last years.

The purposes of this Gospel are:

1. To proclaim Jesus as The Christ;

This Gospel is quite different from the Synoptic Gospels in multiple ways. It deals with periods of Christ’s life that were hazy or left untouched in the first Gospels. Primarily, it gives us a better clue to the initial ministry of Jesus and to his time spent in Jerusalem. However, this is primarily the Reflective Gospel; the Gospel that took seventy years to compose.

We would be accurate to describe the other Gospels as what Jesus said and did. This Gospel focuses on a retrospective review of what Jesus meant.

2. The Gospel to A Gentile World;

At the time this Gospel was written, the question of whether Christianity would become a sect of Judaism was largely settled. Because of the work of Paul and Peter, the church was able to break the boundaries of ritualistic Judaism and expand into the Gentile mainstream. Even by the mid-first century, there were tens of thousands of gentile believers for every single Jewish believer. Yet, the gentiles (largely of Greek background), had to wade through a deep mire of Jewish thought just to get to the statement that became the central tenet of John’s gospel [John 3:16].

John speaks deeply in terms steeped in Greek thought. Largely, he speaks about light [phos] and reason [logos]. These two concepts were central to Greek philosophy, the heart of the teaching of two of Greece’s greatest philosophers, Plato (light and shadow) and Heraclitus (the word and reason).

Plato’s philosophy centered around a cave in which the majority of people live in fearful, huddled masses. We, (the huddled masses) believe that the shadow world within the cave is the only true world and yet, light waits just beyond our reach. Obviously, these concepts fit grandly into the teachings of Jesus.

Heraclitus focused on the concept of the Logos, reason and the order. These two concepts were the central “cosmos” providing balance in midst of a chaotic world.

John captured these concepts in vivid detail, and yet in grand scope. Jesus was the Light and the Word come to life!

3. To fill in the “gaps”;

The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke were largely technical manuals of Jesus’ life. They are the “How To” manuals of Christianity. Many years after their completion, John released this book about the “Why’s.”

The synoptic gospels teach us how to turn the dining room light on. John’s Gospel tells us about the meal and companionship we can find there.

John thrills the heart with inspired words in the same manner a virtuoso lifts us above white and black keys sharing a wooden bed together.

John also “fills in the gaps” between the overlapping ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah. He gives us deeper insight into Jesus’ ministry in the city of Jerusalem—rather than the rural ministry of Jesus. Yet, mostly, John presents deeper understanding of “what Jesus meant.”

After seventy years of reflection and prayer, the Son of Thunder, John, laid forth truths revealed in decades of reflection. We can see the community of Ephesus asking John; “What did Jesus mean when he said, ‘He was the bread of life.’” We can imagine the ancient apostle closing his eyes and remembering the Messiah who personally asked him, “What do you seek?” all those years before.

John tied the memories into a bow and made them his last gift. Therein is the beauty of Gospel of the Apostle who was first to follow and last to die.

4. To deal with the rise of false ideas.

Throughout Christian history, there have been people who have manipulated scripture to fit their cultural needs. Such as our culture does with the “prosperity gospel” today: “If I am faithful—God will give me what I desire.”

In reality, the Gospel would describe; “If I am faithful—God will simplify my desires until there is none but him.” Or, as the Psalmist tells it; “Delight in the Lord and he will give you (‘‘nathan”; to ascribe, call forth, shape or develop) the desires of your heart [Psalm 37:4].”

Those questioning John must have asked him to address two primary concerns in the early church:

i) A sect of believers had developed around John the Baptist rather than Jesus Christ (Acts 19:1-7). John the author deals with that issue right from the start of the first chapter. He makes it clear that the prophetic John was “great among men”—but only Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus alone was “light and logos” and John the Baptist a reflection of the light. John was the moon to Jesus’ sun and we are similarly called.

ii) A developing heresy called Gnosticism was seeking to combine Greek philosophy with Christian beliefs. The Gnostics believed that matter was evil and spirit was good. Matter and Spirit were so distant from each other they could not interact. At one point, Cerinthus, a leader among the Gnostics, went as far as to say that the true God was so distant from the matter of the world that he could not have created the world. Instead, a separate entity that was totally unaware of the true God created the world and all those in it.

One can see how far a stretch it is to create such an erroneous system of logic, a logic obviously incompatible with Christianity. In fact, one might even say that the Gnostics stretched logic to the point of the illogical, the ridiculous.

The greatest challenge of mankind continues to be we want to create our own universe with rules favoring our own vices. In response, John wrote these simple words: “All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that was made” [1:3]. And, to confront the heresy of a disengaged God, John tells us; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son” (Jn.3:16).

There was a man…

John wants us to contrast the statement; “In the beginning was the Word…”

And, the statement; “There was a man…”

Jesus is God and in the beginning was with God. John the Baptist was a man. Jesus was God become man to reveal to us both word and light. John was a great man; but he was not the light. He only pointed to the light. He only reflected the light. As I said above, “He was the moon to Christ’s sun.”

Throughout the Gospels, it is evident that John’s claim is never about himself and always about Jesus. The clearest example of John’s continual “Christ-Focus” is the following verse:

JOHN 1:35-37

35Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36and he looked upon Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Look closely; all John has to do was point and say, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” and his disciples immediately left him and started following Jesus. John didn’t say; “Follow him.” Just, “Behold the Lamb of God.”

These disciples were so focused, so pointed towards Jesus, that they knew—the instant they saw our Lord—they had to leave John. John the Baptist was the ultimate Pastor and teacher. He equipped his own sheep to become independent of himself so they would look, listen and wait upon Jesus. They were able to respond at a moment’s notice when they heard a call to serve the Lord.

John the Baptist was a man—but a great man. His greatness lay in pointing others to the true source of life, light and purpose (logos). He did not want members—he did not want followers who would “come and stay.” John wanted leaders who would “go and do.”

There should be a sign above every church door. “We’re not looking for members who will ‘come and get comfortable,’ we’re looking for disciples who will ‘go and do.’”

Every indication we have in this Gospel about the Baptist shows the same behavior. John was merely a sign; Jesus was the destination.

JOHN 1:9-13

Too familiar

Here is the saddest news of the bible. It is a story of those too familiar with God, those who have somehow grown accustomed to taking God for granted. Jesus came to the Jews—the selected people of the covenant—but even before he came for them he went to his own neighborhood. It is in Nazareth that we see the greatest tragedy of the Christ story. It is in Nazareth where the people say; “He can’t be the Messiah, he lived among us!”

We must not make this horrific error. We must not become so familiar with our preconception of God that we miss him in our midst. At that point, doctrine and ritual superseded Jesus. Then praise becomes empty because there’s no praxis. Religion becomes ritual because there’s no more healing the sick; casting out demons; visiting the prisoners; pro-claiming of lives for Christ. The power of Christ was never experienced by those who “familiarized” him.

As many as received Him

[12] “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

There is a blending of the Hebrew culture with the Greek language in these verses that we might lose in the English translation. To “receive Him” bespeaks thousands of years of the Hebrew/Middle Eastern culture that we simply do not understand as agoraphobic Westerners. Our “fear of strangers” is in direct contrast to the biblical concept of “receiving the stranger” (i.e. entertaining angels). To treat the wanderer poorly was to spite God. To receive a stranger was to give him the seat of honor.

Is that the chair I’ve given to Jesus? Have I given him the throne of my inner sanctum; the right to rule the most intimate corner of my life? Not the office where he can interview me at my sculptured best but the secret me I wouldn’t reveal openly.

Unless Jesus changes that “inside me,” I’ll never be more than a front—a Hollywood set. I’ll fall apart as soon as someone puts pressure on my walls—the slightest wind will collapse my house of cards.

Who believe in His name

To believe in Christ’s Name [onoma, G3686], can also be translated as to believe in his character, authority or cause. It is sadly possible to claim the name of Jesus without embracing his character, authority or purpose.

The will of God

Here is the most incredible news in all of history. That it is “the will” [thelema, G2307] of God that those who believe in the cause and authority of Jesus Christ have the “right” [exousia, G1846] to call themselves children of God. John makes it clear that it is not a right given by birth or the will of man. It is a right granted by one choice that each individual must make—to surrender to God’s authority.

The “will” of God is not an egocentric term as we might consider it—as in willpower or willful behavior. In Greek, the term could also be translated as the “desire” of God, even the ‘‘delight” of God. Think of that! God is not reticent for us to become his family, he is eager!

Many people are raised with the concept that we have an angry God who miserly “allows” entrance into the kingdom through the appeasing sacrifice of his son. Conversely, John paints a more alluring picture of a God so eager for our inclusion that he would even give his beloved son for our salvation. God desires us to be his children; there is no greater joy to him.

JOHN 1:14-17

And the word became flesh

What was it like for the heavenly prince to put on the flesh (literally the carcass or corpse [G4561 sarx]) of humanity? Jesus not only exchanged his heavenly body—but he also left behind the glory of God’s presence in exchange for the depravity of man’s. He left that which was perfect and holy for those who dwelled in sin. This was the choice the beloved Son of God made when Word became flesh. How can we comprehend such love?

Let’s look at some of the terms John uses to express this incomprehensible choice of unfathomable love.

· He dwelt among us [G4637 skenoo];

The literal translation of “to dwell” is that Jesus literally “set up his tent” or “spread his tabernacle” among man. Jesus moved into the worst neighborhood, threw open the window and unlocked the door to any who would enter.

· Only begotten [G3439 monogenes];

Jesus was the only child of God. We were created but Jesus was begotten—conceived—by God. While we can become the children of God through surrender and obedience, Jesus was born as God’s child.

· Full of grace and truth;

The term full [G4134 pleres] means to “overflow” or “abound in plenty.” It is even the word used for maturity. Jesus is the maturation of grace and truth—a perfection that overflows in abundance.

These two words, grace [G5485 charis] and truth [G225 aletheia], are often used together as if one word is completed by the other. It is as though grace is the reason for honesty, but truth must be steeped in grace.

Grace itself is a word used for credit (as in “grace period”—a period without interest); it is used for gift, favor and gratitude. In essence, grace is an attitude of perpetual thankfulness that is freely and graciously given to all. This was the character attributed to our Lord Jesus; he overflowed with this attitude!

Jesus was not the dour, frail character so often depicted in medieval paintings. He was a robust and weathered carpenter, beloved by children and used to walking great distances while sleeping under the open sky. He laughed, wept, expressed anger and gut-wrenching compassion—but always towards one purpose. That the grace and truth of our God be made clear to all men. To look at Jesus is to see God.

JOHN 1:18

18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

The bosom of God

In this verse, we find a subtle but beautiful Hebrew term that is often overlooked—and yet it is filled with rich meaning. What does it mean to rest in the bosom of God?

ISAIAH 40:11

Isaiah tells us Jesus will gather his lambs and carry them in his bosom. “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry {them} in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing {ewes.}”

Solomon tells us that to rest in God’s bosom is to be steadfast in his ways; to delight in God, to heed the Word, to seek God constantly—that is what it means to find rest in the Lord’s bosom.

PROVERBS 8:30-36

30 Then I was beside Him, {as} a master workman; and I was daily {His} delight, rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, and {having} my delight in the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, {O} sons, listen to me, for blessed are they who keep my ways. 33 “Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect {it.}

34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. 35 “For he who finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD. 36 “But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death.”

This very same word [G2859 kolpos] is used on three other occasions (twice in Luke and once in Acts) though its meaning is broadened under Luke’s pen.

· Bosom; a place of replenishment for the helpless

Lazarus (the impoverished beggar in Christ’s story) rested in the bosom of Abraham where Diva (the rich man) could no longer treat him with contempt.

LUKE 16:17-20

17 “Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 18 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. 19 “And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.’ 20 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.

One day, the helpless will rest in the safety of God in heaven. As for today, they should find safety in the arms of proclaiming Christians. Our churches are called to be “cities of refuge” not just “houses of worship.” Are we challenging churches to do their part?

· Bay; a place of safe harbor

This word for bosom [G2859 kolpos] was also used for a bay or “safe harbor.” “When day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could.” [Acts 27:39]

“Kolpos” was the safe harbor to which the Apostle Paul led his captors when they felt threatened by a 14-day storm on the Mediterranean Sea. God brought them to safe harbor as promised by Paul.

Like Paul, we can promise God’s harbor to those around us who live in fear. It is important to note that the storm did not pass nor were they spared a shipwreck, but (as Paul promised) every man found their way to solid ground.

· Lap; the seat of happiness—or emptiness

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap [G2859 kolpos] a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” [Luke 6:38]

Here we find the term for bosom used for a person’s lap. In Christ’s kingdom (which has already begun) we will find that our laps are filled with the mercy that we have given to others. To the extent that we forgive and offer mercy, we similarly experience the forgiveness and mercy of our Savior. It comes to us in direct proportion to how much we have given it to others. The harder it is to forgive—the greater, in turn, is God’s forgiveness. The harder it is to give mercy—the greater, in turn, is God’s mercy. This abundance of forgiveness and mercy is not reserved for heaven; it is reserved for His Kingdom. Remember; the Kingdom of God comes when his will is done—on earth as it is in heaven!

I can overflow with the forgiveness and mercy of God at this time—in this moment. The freedom to live for-giving (not for-taking) can fill my life today! To the extent that I let go—God takes hold.

When Jesus was said to be in the bosom of God it meant his spirit was in the abundant, merciful harbor of God’s love. Jesus became a city of refuge; a bay of safe harbor in the storm, a living example of forgiveness and mercy. Our Lord, in his abundant truth and grace, seeks no more than to invite us to dwell on the ‘‘bosom” of God as well.

JOHN 1:19-23

Who John wasn’t

At some point in time, all of us must take a stand on who we are—and who we are not. Years ago, there was a common saying that went; “Whoyou are matters far less than whose you are.” We might want to go a step further and suggest that we cannot even know who we are until we know whose we are. Clearly, John knew the answer to both of those questions—whose and who—the result was that he also knew, “Why he was.”

1. He was not the Messiah, come to redeem lives.

In no uncertain terms, John repeatedly stresses that he is not to be followed or worshipped. He is not the Anointed One, the Christ. He is “a voice” in the desolation.

2. He was not Elijah, come to settle all disputes and raise the dead.

It was believed (from Malachi 4:5), that prior to the return of the Messiah, Elijah would return with two purposes:

i To settle all disputes

ii To raise the dead to enter into the Kingdom.

John makes it clear that this is not why he came. He was singularly focused on one purpose (which we will look at below.

While some people think that single-mindedness leads to narrow-mindedness, nothing could be further from the truth. They are entirely different. To have a single purpose does not make one less tolerant or more prideful. Having a single purpose frees a person to tolerate the confusion of others while simultaneously not worshipping an ideology.

It is like a man who stumbles upon someone sinking into a pit of quicksand. The double-minded man doesn’t know whether to jump in with the sinking man or if he even “has the right” to alter the man’s “bad karma.” The narrow-minded man won’t lift a finger to help unless the desperate man agrees that he is at fault and then states that he really should use his own bootstraps to extricate himself anyway. However, the single-minded man has a focused purpose, “Get this man a vine and pull him out of his plight.” The single-minded man (like the story of the Good Samaritan) is not afraid to let compassion speak for itself.

Scripture tells us that to be single-minded (or single-hearted) is a rich blessing from our Lord:

MATTHEW 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

PSALM 86:11-12

11 Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name. 12 I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Thy name forever.

John the Baptist was blessed with a focused mind. He wasn’t concerned about earthly disputes or even raising the dead. He wasn’t about to be distracted from his single-minded purpose; “The Kingdom is at hand!”

Who John was

John was: “A voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” Let’s look at this self-expression a little more closely because it will lead us to a better understanding of ourselves as we prepare—not for Christmas—but for the Lord’s return.

Yesterday afternoon—in one our studies—a friend mentioned that this should be the true emphasis of advent. The anticipation of the faithful is neither the holiday of Easter or December 25th. Our hearts should be set upon the day when Jesus returns in glory. That was the model of John. Jesus’ arrival did not initiate John’s retirement—instead, John became even more intense.

In essence, we are not “waiting for” Jesus—we are “waiting on” Jesus. The very word disciple suggests that we are the “wait staff” in the King’s dining hall. Jesus himself describes us as such. This was the role of John, to wait upon Jesus.

In the study on the King’s Banquet [Matthew 22:1-14], the role of the servants was none other than to run into the streets and invite anyone they could find to a banquet that none deserved to attend. That was John’s role then—that is our role now.

Run out—Invite in!

It is not seasonal or centered on Christmas: “Preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” [2 Timothy 4:2]

We await not the Holiday—but the Holy Day when Christ will return. Like John, we have much work to do!

In another bible study at our house, the topic was mentioned; “Is it possible to tell when a person is authentically close to God?” Almost without thinking I blurted out; “His wings are singed.” A picture of a moth with burned wings came to my mind. Authentic closeness to God seems to be modeled by wings that are burned from flying too close to the flame and yet, the absolute inability to resist the light.

On the December 4th, 2002 Diane Rehm Show (NPR, WAMU)1, Ms. Rehm interviewed Donald Spoto who recently compiled a book called; “Reluctant Saint (Viking Compass).” It is a biography about Francis of Assisi based upon recently opened archives that were previously unavailable. Mr. Spoto made some observations that touched me deeply about Francis. His bones tell us that he was five foot, three inches and weighed about 85 pounds at death. How could a man so emaciated and diminutive have such an incredible impact on history? He never set out to be a leader (or certainly a saint)—he just sought to love the poorest of the poor. Still, at his death, over 40,000 men and women shared his call. He was stricken by malaria and eaten by leprosy. He became blinded by disease on a 1,400-mile journey that he partook to plead for peace during the crusades. Yet, peace emanated from this man; joy sprung from him.

Francis’ wings were burnt with his passion for the Lord—in his most vulnerable form. John’s wings were burnt with passion for the light—in its most inauspicious form. Neither ever stopped flying towards the light. Their last breaths were; “Jesus.”

Are my wings even flushed with an occasional test flight? “Lord, allow me to be worthy!”

Here are the words John uses to define the heart of his ministry:

· I am a voice in the wilderness;

John’s statement that he was not Elijah is accented here. He was not The Voice; he was a voice. A voice [phone; G5456] really means no more than a sound or noise—but the root word means “to lighten, show, or shine” [phaino; G5316]. John was a voice and a light in the “lonesome waste” [eremos; G2048]. At other times I have mentioned that it does not behoove the Christian to be a light bulb in a chandelier factory. We are called to be a candle in the darkness. I keep coming back to the familiar saying; “What would Jesus do?” Yet, how can we do what Jesus would do if we do not ask; “Where would Jesus be?”

If we are to be like John—ever-pointing towards Jesus—we must go where John would go. We must be a clear voice in the cacophony of our world, a light in the desolation of our disconnectedness.

· Make straight

We spent a lot of time on this phrase in a study from Mark, Chapter 1, so we won’t revisit it here. It is enough to say that John considered his role as no more than a ditch digger. To shovel a road through mountains and fill the crevices between valleys so that hearts were ready for the visit from the King.

The Angel Gabriel stated it as follows:

LUKE 1:17

“And it is he [John the Baptist] who will go {as a forerunner} before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

· What is John crying out?

ISAIAH 40:3-5

3 A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

4 “Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley;

5 Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all flesh will see {it} together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

There is no reason to dress up this statement. Simply and plainly, John was telling people to get rid of any obstacles that stood between the Lord and them. The mountains of pride, the valleys of self-righteousness; “Be liberated!” he shouts. “Set yourself free from any obstacle that would hinder the Lord’s place in your life.”

John’s message is no less pertinent today, no less powerful, no less focused on the advent—not of Christmas—but of Christ’s return. “Repent and be saved!” “Reopen and be liberated!”

That is what John shouts across the ages.

JOHN 1:24-28

24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27“It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Why then are you baptizing?

Although the Essenes (a monastic of Judaism) practiced baptism and purification, most Jewish religious leaders would disdain the practice. It was Gentiles who were baptized, a Jew could rely on his heritage, they were the “Chosen People.” By baptizing Jews, John was essentially treating them like Gentiles and that is what infuriated the Pharisees. The implication was that birthright was not enough!

Do we believe that we are saved because of our birthright? Because we belong to a church? Because we say the right words?

Our Lord himself presents four stories where saying the right words are not enough:

MATT 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord,’ did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

MATT 25:11-12

11 “And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 “But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’”

MATT 25:41-46

41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they themselves also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

LUKE 6:46-49

46 “And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 “Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 “But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Critical to the Hebrew concept of belief is the concept of action. I have not changed my beliefs if I have not changed my actions. If I call Jesus, “Lord,” then I clearly must do what is good to him:

MICAH 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Jesus states it concisely in his parable of the sheep and the goats:

MATTHEW 25:45-46

45 “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

John baptized as an outward sign of an inner change. His baptism was external and temporal—a sign. The Lord’s baptism will be internal and eternal. A complete and unending transformation of self. We cannot rely on heritage, we cannot rely on relationships, we cannot rely on church attendance and we cannot rely on the “right words.” Our lives must change when Jesus becomes our Lord and that change must lead us to compassion.

“Whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

John knew Christ’s place because he knew his own place. Although John himself says, “I am not worthy to untie his sandal,” Jesus (in Luke 7:28) calls him the “greatest of all prophets.”

Our greatness in God’s Kingdom is directly related to our humility upon this earth. The humbler we become; the more God can use us. In this study, the theme has been “The Word Was God!” Jesus is God’s word—God’s promise—but are we willing to be a comma, a period, or even an exclamation point on his page?

The more we abandon pride and embrace humility; the more we can be used by our God. The other day in the penitentiary, I asked the guys; “Can you think of what we have to lose by letting go of our pride, our self-righteousness or our anger? Can you think of what we stand to gain by embracing humility, gentleness, and Christ as our Lord?”

Let us also embrace John’s statement of humility: “I am not worthy to untie his sandal.” Then, let us live as if everyone is Christ’s most important friend, as if Jesus really had counted every number on their heads and we don’t want to damage one. It is serving our Lord by serving the least of these that we embrace the fullness of God’s Word:

JOHN 12:46-48

46 “I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness. 47 “And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

Let us give up any righteousness that would lead us to be judgmental. Let us be about the Lord’s work—to offer salvation and light to the darkness.

When I go to juvenile detention I often hear the kids talk about trust, while so few have experienced it. When I ask, “What is trust to you?” They say; “Show up when you promise.” This is a behavior so few of them have ever seen. Can we show them God’s promise? Can we model to them God’s Word? I promise to show up when I say I will. I promise to be there when you need me. That is the promise of God. That is God’s Word. That is Jesus Christ!

JOHN 1:29-42

29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

 35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39 He *said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

JOHN 1:29-30

The Lamb of God

John does two things in this initial statement about Jesus:

1. He testifies that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ; the anointed one of God.

2. He testifies to Jesus’ role in history; he is to be the sacrificial lamb who will bear the cost of our sin.

[G286] lamb, amnos (am-nos’); [G142] who takes away, airo (ah’-ee-ro) [G266] the sin, hamartia (ham-ar-tee’-ah) [G2889] the world, kosmos (kos’-mos)

The sacrifice of the lamb (the Passover Lamb) was ordained by the Lord Himself in Exodus 12:

EXODUS 12:2-14

2 “This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you. 3 “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household. 4 ‘Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb. 5 ‘Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 ‘You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. 7 ‘Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 ‘They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 ‘Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire, both its head and its legs along with its entrails. 10 ‘And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire. 11 ‘Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’S Passover. 12 ‘For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD. 13 ‘The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

 14 ‘Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.’”

 The lambs were also used in the daily temple sacrifices (see Lev 14:12,21,24; Nu 6:12); each morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed for the sins of the people (Ex 29:38-42).

 Isaiah was the first to prophecy that the Messiah would pay the ultimate price for our sins by offering himself as the “Lamb of God”:

ISAIAH 53:7

He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.

ROMANS 6:23

To pay the price for sin a life had to be taken: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 CORINTHIANS 5:7

In an act of incomprehensible love, God himself picked the perfect sacrifice for our sins; His only son: “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.”

 Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the prophecy of the Old Testament completed; the fulfilled Covenant:

ISAIAH 53:4-6

4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.

 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

 This same message was repeated by Peter in his last letter to his beloved church:

1 PETER 2:24-25

24 And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

 Through John the Baptist, Jesus, the hope of the world, is introduced on to the stage of eternity. In the most remote corner of the known world, through a man known for his unwavering focus on the coming King, Jesus splits the seam of eternity and salvation and steps into the Jordan. It couldn’t be any more ridiculous from a worldly standpoint; the Savior of humanity doesn’t descend upon Rome, the world capitol and is unheralded in Jerusalem, his religion’s capitol. Instead, a bony finger points out from the wasteland and says; “There stands the reason for creation.” 

Are we adept enough to see the bony fingers in our wastelands? Are our lives so attuned that we could recognize the salvation of the world in the calloused hands of a backwoods carpenter? Would I recognize the world’s Savior—and if I did—would I move aside for him? Or is my life too fettered by comfort and sin to be attuned to the improbable or influenced by the preposterous.

 The call of John is a call to simplify, to reduce and to seek clarity in the midst of the religious and the political. Would I be unencumbered enough to see the salvation of the world if he came in the form of a lamb—not a lion?

A higher rank than I

The exact translation of John’s words are very important; Jesus is both of higher rank [G1096 ginomai] and existed before [GSN4413 protos] John the Baptist. The full meanings of these terms were that Jesus was the “prototype” of God. He was “before, the best and the chief” among all. He was ordained for, united with and assembled by God for a singular purpose towards which John can only hope to point.

 These words don’t flow from John the Baptist in a false humility; they flow from his very essence. All of his life boiled down to that one moment, that singular purpose: To launch the reign of the Lamb of God.

 When will we finally awaken to our ultimate purpose? When will we step aside for he who was before, the best and the chief of all creation? Are we sitting on a throne that isn’t ours? Do we think of ourselves as the “protos” as opposed to a road sign?

 Our purpose in life is to become more like John daily, totally transparent. We will have lived well if we have become so translucent that people look completely through us and see Jesus.

 The complex issue for any biblical translator today is to take the concepts of a pastoral culture and meaningfully translate them into an economic society. The word “lamb” had many uses in Christ’s day. It is interesting that John (the author) does not use the word, “Pascha,” which means “sacrificial lamb” (the term for the lamb that was used to bear the sins of the people in Passover sacrifices). Yet, it reveals to us that the author, John the Beloved, is not trying to impress a nationalistic church—but a new church that is being birthed in Christ. John is addressing a church replete with Hebrew and Greek concepts—a church of the world.

 However, his term for “who takes away the sins of the world” could not be any more forthright and culturally meaningful. It is a word that translates with clarity whether my background is Hebrew, Greek, pastoral or economic. The word for “takes away the sins,” Airo, is not only to “take away”—but also to "lift up." Jesus takes away our sin—but also lifts us up before God. Our Lord—the true sacrifice—would be lifted up (on the cross) and, through his action; our sins would be taken away.

 In essence, the sacrifice of Jesus would both lift up and take away the sin of the world.

After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me

 After me is the One who comes before me. Confusing? Of course—but only from a linear perspective. However, John did not write from a linear perspective. God does not exist in a linear framework. God is not ruled by past, present or future—he is able to use all time and space (omnipresent), all cause and effect (onniscient), all power and authority (omnipotent) to his advantage.

 What John the Baptist is telling his followers is that he did not always recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Literally, the term means, “it was not given to John to recognize Jesus.” It is as though John initially had a hard time seeing his younger cousin as the Chosen One of God. No doubt John knew him as someone special. However, Jesus was hidden from all (especially Satan) for those nameless years. Mary treasured (pondered) these things in her heart—but God was not revealing his hand to anyone.

 It was not until the baptism—until Jesus decided to step into public ministry—that anyone could be sure Jesus would indeed wear the mantle of “Messiah.”

 Then John would see that the one who was born after him, would be the one that was greater than him (before him); the one whom God called into preeminent existence. Once again, the word protos [G4413] is used to tell us that Jesus was “before,” the root word for prototype. Jesus is not just “before,” he is greatest, unique, and the example (prototype) of God’s love.

 What does all this mean? Before we ever turned to God, before we even had a hint about His plan—while we were “yet sinners” our salvation existed in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not an afterthought to the fall of man; he was precursor to the inevitable. God knew we were going to sin and created us anyway; our salvation was already in place before we even fell.

JOHN 1:31-34

31 “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

“I did not recognize Him…”

Here is a statement of faith that should remind us of a true Christian’s work. John literally says, “The Messiah was not revealed to me yet [G1492 eido]; but I still did what I was supposed to do.”

John was willing to do the task to which he was assigned with or without reward. He was called to baptize, to prepare the way and to get a generation of lost believers ready for the arrival of the Messiah. Indeed, his call was summarized by the prophet Malachi and repeated by the angel Gabriel even before John was conceived: “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” [Luke 1:17]

He did this despite the pressure of Herod Antipas, the verbal attacks of religious leaders and without the emotional or visible assurance of God. He showed up faithfully every day at the front lines of ministry and did as he was called. He did all of that with no hint of reward, only by faith!

Will I be that faithful? Do I keep working on the task of Christ even when I don’t feel emotionally or spiritually charged?

 Our task is no different than John’s:

MATTHEW 28:19-20

[19] “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Will Christ find me at the furthest edge of my world (or even my city) introducing the lost to him? “Lord, give us the faith of John, to carry on with the task even when we don’t feel your presence.”

John’s situation was something like this: Think of someone you knew as a child—you don’t see him for years, then one day you read about him in the paper; He has been nominated for a Nobel Prize. Immediately we think, “Well, I knew him when…” “I didn’t think he was all that smart!” “I remember teaching him everything he knows…”

Other people in Jesus’ village would use this statement to dismiss the Lord’s authority. It is to John’s credit that he was able to sit down when his cousin stood up. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” [John 3:30]

How many of us recognize that this is exactly what we must do to get out of the Lord’s way?

I saw the Spirit descending

Yet, once again, how do we who live in a culture of materialism and immediacy relate to the idea that, for a moment, all time stood still and creation bowed to the Messiah? In that instant; the barrier between heaven and earth united as the Lord stooped to whisper into his Beloved Son’s ear. This was the Spirit descending. This was the incredible miracle of the ages; the covenant of the Old Testament signed and sealed.

It seems to have been an instant shared only by John and the Trinity. In the backwoods desert of Perea (the modern-day eastern bank of the Jordan River), John the Faithful was given the opportunity to witness the Trinity in full harmony; all centered upon the goal of salvation. Who would have suspected that the glory of God would be revealed in the muddy Jordan in a no-name desert kingdom abhorred by all the world powers around it?

The only worth of this kingdom was that it was the crossroads to the known world, the land bridge between Africa, the Orient and Europe. In the crux of that land bridge, our Lord was baptized. Could it have been any more appropriate that “the bridge” between God and man would be born on the bridge between all trade routes, north, south, east and west at a time when the entire world still had to pass through that area.

John the Baptist witnessed the crossroads of mankind linked with the cross of God. What an honor to the man who was most faithful.

I have seen and testified

John had not only “seen” the Lord, he had “perceived” the Lord. It is a testament to God’s plan that the revelation had begun. It began with John in the waters of the Jordan as John invoked crowds to, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

Then, Jesus wasted no time in taking the revelation to the devil himself. Immediately after his baptism, Christ made straightway for the wasteland. The area was called Satan’s Lair (or literally, his back yard) by the locals. Normally, we mortals would not want to act in like manner. Who could imagine walking straightway into a den of snakes and stating; “I’ve come to draw the poison out of all of you!”

However, to Jesus, the hidden time of God’s protection was over. God wanted Jesus revealed to the heavens, the earth and the underworld. It was the only way the plan of salvation and the sacrifice of the Lamb of God could be completed.

In addition, it is the action that accompanies John’s revelation that should spark a breathtaking response in Christ-Followers. John shares; “He has been revealed to me and I would be willing to die for him (testify, witness, martyr—all of these are rooted in this word; Testified [G3140] Martus, to die for one’s testimony]).” It was not an empty promise; John did die for his convictions. In contrast, am I even willing to die to my own pride to announce him as my Lord? Are we even desirous to let go of something as eternally minuscule as our self-righteous judgment and anger so that we can become his witnesses?

Are we willing to even put our pride aside and reach out in compassion and reconciliation? Let’s not even talk about testifying, witnessing, or being a “martyr” until we are at least able to die to ourselves and put the needs of other’s first.

JOHN 1:35-37

Two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus

John perceives and testifies; his apostles hear and follow.

Akouo [G191] means to understand, not just to hear. Akouloutheo [G190] means to hear and follow. Once we understand who Jesus is; what he has done for us and what he is willing to do for us, we simply must take action. The scriptures have taken this concept a step further; if the knowledge of Jesus Christ does not lead to a changed life, then a person doesn’t know Jesus, he simply knows of Jesus.

The actions of the first apostles tell us more about John than they do about Jesus. These two (we know one is Andrew and we suspect the other is John the Beloved) were actually John the Baptist’s disciples—not Jesus’. They were willing to live in the desert and eat grasshoppers with their master (John the Baptist). In the language of the church today, these would be our most vital volunteers. When you have a mission outreach, they lead the way, when you have a bible study—they are there; when the church needs a new toilet—they roll up their sleeves; when funding is bleak—they reach for their wallets. Such dedication is hard to find and to be treasured in our day. It was also treasured in John the Baptist’s day.

Yet, the moment that John sees Jesus returning from the desert, he turns to his best two volunteers and says; “There is the Lamb of God.” It takes no more prompting than that—the disciples are up and out. No good-bye or even thank you.

This should tell us that the entire focus of John’s life was to point to the Messiah. He truly only sees himself as a signpost on the way to the Christ. He is, at most, a rest stop on the way to salvation and yet, as you pull in to the rest area it is clearly posted; “No permanent dwellings on these premises.”

Is this how we look at the people of our church? Do we guard them as if they were “ours” or point them outward because they are “His?” Are we clambering to bring in more members or committed to sending out more disciples?

JOHN 1:38-42

38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39 He *said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Then Jesus turned…

There are words in the bible that if we just hesitated upon them, paused in their wonder (Selah; is the word for Pause and Wonder” the Psalmists used) those words would format our understanding of God and change our relationship with him completely. The three words in this heading are just such an example. In fact, the entire bible could be summed up in; “Then Jesus turned…”

 This word for turn [G4762, strepho turned], is similar to another word, metanoia—the word used by Paul and others for conversion. It means to turn around completely, to change or convert. Imagine if you will the Prince of Creation—converting for us. We think of conversion as something we do. But, here, the Word of Life converts all of his energy upon two young men. He turns all of his might and mission to focus on these two “interruptions.” He ceases his march from the wilderness in order to respond to the question of two teen-agers.

 Can I even fathom this? That God’s Son changed his agenda for two lost kids. Is he any less likely to do this for us?

 There is something both challenging and compassionate about this historic moment. Jesus is on a determined “march”’ more than he is on a walk. He had just delivered God’s summons to Satan’s very doorstep—he understands fully that he has a very limited amount of time to accomplish his ministry. Satan will do all that he can to stop Jesus before his “appointed time.”

 Many of us have a mission but it often causes us to march forward with blinders on, totally absorbed in our own world. The mission of Jesus Christ caused him to march headfirst into teaching, vision-sharing, and people building. What we call interruptions—he called the work of God.

 It has taken me years to learn that my work is my interruptions (and I still fall short of this guideline everyday). It has taken me years to perceive that God is working through those daily disturbances and placing people into my path for God’s purposes (which should also be mine). I think back with great sorrow on times that I might have muttered under my breath; “I don’t have time for this.”

 When Jesus is entrusted (out of the blue) with his first two followers, there is no sense of; “I don’t have time for two kids, I have a mission to complete! I have to reach the known world.”

 No, the entire energy of Jesus the Christ, converts (turns) entirely upon these two young faces. As far as the Lord is concerned, time stops.

 If we would only spend a tenth of the energy on those God sends us rather on impressing people or grumbling about those who are not present—God would bless our lives immeasurably. What a radical change in perspective and fulfillment we would experience! The closer we come to being the radical type of leader that Jesus was, the less we look at our week and ask: “What tasks do I need to accomplish?” And, the more we ask; “What people does God want me to see?” We move from doing to being in a radical transition of the way we live.

 The compassionate aspect of this word is in the approach of Andrew and John. In this tender moment, the two young men are at a loss for words. They are awestruck. This is the Messiah before whom even their Master (John the Baptist) bows. They stammer and argue as they follow the “Lamb of God.” Imagine the humor in this scene. Andrew might have begun; “You talk to him.”

 “I’m not going to talk to him,” John replies. “You stop him –you’re older.”

 “That’s why you should say something,” Andrew states, “he ain’t gonna get mad at a kid! My Rabbi never listens to me!”

 “What are you talking about?” retorts John, “I wouldn’t know where to start talking to him. I mean, what do you say to the Lamb of God? Baaaaah?!!”

 Meanwhile, Jesus must hear them. Looking down a camera lens from in front of these three, there must be a smile on our Lord’s face. These two young men, filled with trepidation, approach Jesus, and yet never speak to him. Still, that is all that is required for their salvation. Do we realize that? Jesus does not turn to them because they have the right words or rituals. Jesus turns to them because they are trying to follow him!

 If we try to follow—he will convert! He will turn the full force of his love and step immediately into our lives.

 Following Christ is more about “trying” than succeeding. Every true Christian fails more times than they succeed. It is because we take great risks; it is because we don’t play it safe. The truth is that being Christian is not about being legally perfect, but about getting up one more time than we fall down.

 The Messiah turns… he converts… he stops what he is doing because we are the reason he came to earth. Would I do the same if two lost teens called my name?

What do you seek?

“What do you seek?” [G5101, what, tis (tis); G2212, do you seek, zeteo (dzay-teh’-o)]

The leader who does not start his day without asking his followers this question is a manipulator. However, can you imagine that God himself, in human form, would make this his first question of leadership to his followers? Jesus, who converts the full force of his mission onto two young men, brings the heart of total compassion into four words; “What do you seek?”

 Was there impatience in his voice? Like; “Why are you bothering me; can’t you see I’m on a mission from God?” After all, these people came out of nowhere and started mumbling and tripping along behind him. Was there compassion in his voice?

Jesus asks, “What have you been looking for in your deepest heart?”

 In the deepest sense of the word, the word for seek, “Zeteo,” could also be phrased as, “What do you worship?” “What do you treasure?” “For what would you give your life?”

 The Shepherd of the Universe does not begin with a sermon. He doesn’t start with pronouncements or pontificating. He begins with the ultimate question of compassionate leadership; “What do you hope for?”

 To share Jesus with others must start in a like manner. Not telling people what they need, but asking people about their hopes: Listening, not telling; understanding, not selling. That is the path of the Christ-Follower and Christian Leader.

Master, where are you staying?

“Master, where are you staying?” [G1320, Master, didaskalos (did-as’-kal-os)] [G4226, where, pou (poo)] [G3306, staying, meno (men’-o)]

 Imagine the beautiful face of our savior turning full length to yours. Imagine the intensity of standing before him, eye-to-eye, close enough to feel his breath. The master of salvation turns to you and asks; “What’s your heart’s desire?”

 Would you say; “Salvation.” Would you say; “World peace.” Would you say, “to end hunger.”

 Chances are that we mere mortals would hang our heads and say; “I dunno.” The best these two apostles can do is scratch out a meager; “So, where are you staying?”

 Yet, the Kingdom of God is built upon such simple questions. There is no pretense here. No attempt to impress God with what I pretend to know. Salvation is ultimately about serving and following, not knowing or doing.

Where is Jesus going in my town? Where Would Jesus Be? Don’t worry about “What Would Jesus Do”—just go where he would be and take his love with you. It is easy to do what Jesus would do if you’re not where Jesus would be! It is easy to stand up in a church full of “Christians” and talk about God. But can we go to the hospitals, rest homes, detention centers and jails with as much compassion and ask; “What is it that your heart treasures most.”

“Come and see…”

Jesus was not asked a theological question and he did not give a theological response. His first two statements to his disciples were; “What do you seek?” and; “Come and see.” [G2064, come, erchomai (er”-khom-ahee)] [G2532, and, kai (kahee)] [G1492, see, eido (i’-do)]

 Yet, the longest theological treatise could have never been deeper. In all the books of leadership and faith, no one has ever simplified the words of public leadership better than these seven words of Jesus. These are the words of true sincerity and transparency.

Ultimate Sincerity: “Share with me your greatest fears and hopes.”

Ultimate Transparency: “Let’s walk the path together. Learn my heart by spending time with me.”

Our greatest loss in leadership is that we rely on classes instead of mentoring. We rely on programs, not on relationships. “Come and see,” is a far cry from; “Listen and learn,” or even, “Go and do.”

 Eventually, Jesus would speak the words; “Go and do.” However, those words would not come until very late in his ministry. During the interim, his life was never a mystery. Those who wanted to know Jesus found he was an open book and all they had to do was “get up and follow.”

 Unquestionably, there were times of private prayer. Yet, that was part of the example he lived too. To know Jesus was to hang around with him. That is the praxis of mentoring. We learn by watching good role models deal with life. We learn by seeing mentors do an activity and then doing it with them.

 We have so little relational learning today for a number of reasons:

· It is not cost-effective.

· It requires a substantial amount of time.

· It would require relationship and living a life that says; “Watch what I do.”

This last one is the deepest issue. It talks about not living a duplicitous lifestyle. It means we have to live up to what we say. It means there is no public persona that is contradicted by hidden, personal demons.

 In our segmented, professional society, it is much easier to compartmentalize our identity. On Sundays, from 09:00 to 11:30, I can be the “public me.” For the rest of the week, I revel in the “private me.”

 “Come and see,” means transparency, not compartmentalization. I am one “me” to Jesus and the same “me” to my community and the same “me” to my family.

 Without a doubt, we need the help of Jesus to be that transparent. Yet, he is willing to go forward with us and also retreat with us. His power alone can make us as transparent as he is.

“He first found his brother…”

We might read this as; “The first thing that came to Andrew’s mind was to find his big brother and tell him about Jesus.” [G3778, he, houtos (hoo’-tos)] [G412, first, proton (pro’-ton)] [G2147, find, heurisko (hyoo-ris’-ko)]

 Isn’t this the simple beauty of the Gospel? Andrew could have followed John just to learn the right things to do to prepare for salvation. However, instead he fell in love with Jesus and his first action was to run home to tell his favorite brother. He had to tell Simon, not “what to do,” but, “who to know.” and isn’t that the best way to prepare for salvation after all?

 Ultimately, sharing about Jesus is not about telling others what to do. It is about sharing what the Lord did for us. “He loved me—and you know what a sinner I am—He will love you too.”

 There is another story of a man who wanted to tell his family about God’s presence. It is the story of Dives, the rich man, the man who ignored Lazarus. When he is in the pit of despair, he looks to Abraham and says; “Send that beggar Lazarus to tell my family there is a hell.”

 Dives still doesn’t get it. He still thinks he can boss Lazarus around—even from the depths of hell!

 Abraham’s response isn’t anger or judgment. Dive’s already been judged for his ignorance (his life of “ignoring”). His response could best be summarized as; “Lazarus is in God’s hands now; you can’t abuse him anymore.”

 For Andrew, time was running out on the day. It was already “the tenth hour” (the Jewish time clock only ran twelve hours). He didn’t want a single day to pass without telling his brother to meet Jesus. So, he ran home as fast as he could!

 We too must “run home.” There’s no time left for our petty grudges and grievances. Run Now! Follow Jesus to where he’s sleeping tonight and then go get your family so you can tell them where to find Jesus as well. Andrew is a man with a mission—Jesus moved him and now he is on the move. What fire do we need to light in order to ignite our spirits so we will run and get the “Simon’s” in our lives?

“We have found the Messiah, the Christ!”

“!”

 That should be all we need to say… one giant exclamation point at the mention of the name Christos. For indeed, here is the “exclamation point” of life! [G2147, we have found, heurisko (hyoo-ris’-ko)] [G3323, The Messiah, Messias (mes-see’-as)] [G5547, The Christ, Christos (khris-tos’)]

 There is no doubt that these two youngsters had searched for answers all their life. They had left their work and families to follow John. Undoubtedly, that was no small issue in a society where your best labor force was your family. After all, they were free labor. Imagine Peter, the older brother, who had to fill Andrew’s place in the boat. Suddenly, his little brother comes leaping down the shoreline; “We have found him! We have found him!” How is Simon supposed to respond?

 Keep in mind that the last time Simon heard those words was when Andrew took off to follow a man whose idea of a smorgasbord was grasshoppers and wild honey (probably with a dozen or so bees still mixed in). I don’t imagine there was much tolerance between Simon and the other brothers who had been left to work in the well-worn nets of Lake Galilee.

 Here’s what Andrew’s brother, Simon (Peter), and John’s brother, James, might have literally heard: “We have found (perceived/obtained) The One ordained to bring us salvation!”

 Can you imagine the incredible joy in the heart of John and Andrew as they tore out into the dark and sprinted to find their brothers? “Drop the nets (they fished at night on the Sea of Galilee); drop everything, here is someone (note, not something) to whom your life is worth dedicating.”

 How many of us would be hindered by the words; “Be practical.” How many of us would be stopped by our own fears? How many of us might even hide the news because we wouldn’t want people to mock us for finding yet another Messiah? And indeed, aren’t some of us often prone to wanting to be the Messiah ourselves and thereby to not send people to the real Jesus?

 It is important to note that these two young men had just met Jesus. They were not “versed” in Jesus. They didn’t carry any salvation tracts, catechesis or bibles. There was no “theology or ritual” to push. They were not anointed by a community or even by the Lord; they just needed to share the person of Jesus. So, what is stopping us from doing the same? Why are we not “running” with an exclamation point on our lips?

You shall be called

These words are spoken purposefully to Simon, yet the mystery of the Gospel is that God calls each of us by a new name. [G2564, be called, kaleo (kal-eh’-o)]

ISAIAH 62:4

It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate;” but you will be called, “My delight is in her,” and your land, “Married”; for the LORD delights in you, and {to Him} your land will be married.

Society has names for us too. Names all too often based on our failures and past. One study has said that for every single time a child will hear his name in the positive they will hear it used eleven times negatively. Some children grow up hearing, “Stupid,” or, “lazy.” Other children hear; “queer, wimp” or a racial epithet. Sadly enough, some children don’t hear anything. They just blend in; head down throughout the day and desperately face the darkness alone every night. Adults are just too busy to “turn” to them as Jesus “turned” (converted) for John and Andrew.

 Now, here is the awesome news; Jesus doesn’t name (call) Peter by what he did. Our Lord names Peter for what he believes Peter will become. Then, our Lord gives Peter his full attention in order to help him achieve that name. Peter is no longer “Simon,” “fisherman,” or “Galilean.” Now, he is “the Rock.”

 Jesus has a name for your future as well. It is a name of triumph and glory—of hope and awesome beauty. The word “called” [GSN2564] means not only named—but “to bid” or “to call forward” from the norm. The name that Jesus has for you will call you forward; will bid you to grow; it will “call you from obscurity and into history.” It is our love for Jesus that, in turn, takes us outward to call others by their God-found name. When we look into someone else’s face –it should never be to accept the names that this world has “called” them. We must look upon others with the eyes of Jesus. What does God “call” them? What does God see in them? What is the bidding of Christ in their life?

 Let us become a people of the exclamation point! Let us be a people of calling, renaming, of unshakable commitment to what God sees in each person. Let us go forth with a new name for all of Christ’s beloved. Let us change the name of our cities and neighborhoods from desolate to delight, from forsaken to betrothed.

OVERVIEW: THEN JESUS TURNED…

We sat face to face separated by bulletproof glass; a small hole in the window helped us hear each other. It was big enough to touch fingers when we prayed.

 The young man in front of me knew his bible very well. He had plenty of time to study it. His questions were beyond the ordinary inquiries one hears in jails. Some of the questions were of the type that had drawn historic lines on denominational battlefields for centuries.

 It was our first meeting, but I was impressed with his intelligence. He was one of many young men who attempted to find Christ after making the most grotesque errors of our temporal lives. My prayer is to prevent it from becoming the deciding error of their eternal lives.

 “Travis,” I began. “I am impressed with your head knowledge, but I want to know if it has seeped down into your heart too.”

 “Where is your heart, Travis?”

 Suddenly, the tears started forming. “I just want to know I can be forgiven.” (Travis was one of two males I was visiting at the time who were facing decades in prison).

 “Then Jesus turned…” Three simple words, but the whole of our beliefs can be found in them. Jesus, recently baptized, delivers God’s summons on Satan’s doorstep, then sets out—determined to accomplish his earthly charter. On the way, he is interrupted by two unlikely characters, both lowly fishermen, and both probably little more than teenagers.

 “Then Jesus turned…” The whole of creation listens for this heartbeat. The direct translation would be; “At that moment Jesus converted.” What?!! The Son of God converting?

 Yes, he suddenly “converts” all of his energy, all of his passion and direction and pours it into the two young interruptions that are shaking behind him in their sandals.

 There I sat; a glass away from such a holy interruption. “Travis, where is the treasure of your heart?”

 “Where is your treasure?” Jesus’ first words to the first disciples of the New Jerusalem were not just; “What do you seek?” They were more like; “Where is your heart?” Actually, his words would be even better rendered as; “Where is your treasure?” Yet, the Savior tells us; “Where our heart is –so is our treasure.”

 Travis’ treasure lay in one word; “Forgiveness.”

 In the bible story, Andrew—the older disciple—runs home to get his brother. Simon is in a huff (after all, he had to fulfill all of his younger brother’s responsibilities while Andrew traipsed about the country seeking the next Messiah). “Simon the Colossal storms towards Jesus to see Andrew’s new “Messiah-of-the-Day.” Yet, before he can utter a word—Jesus calls him a name. Not fisherman, not hothead and not Galilean (a term used in derision by Jews and Romans alike).

 “You shall be called…” Jesus calls him by a new name. Not based in what he was—but instead, what he could be if he gave his life to God. Do I have the ability to hear God’s name for this murderer, this convict and sinner sitting before me? I have heard the treasure of his heart; can I help him hear the name God has for him; “Forgiven?”

 The real question is; “How dare I not?”

The Word and the Light

John 1

JOHN 1:1-51

JOHN 1:1-3

Before the disease—there was a cure

The Word that is power

The light that dwells within

PRAYER

JOHN 1:4-5

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men

The darkness did not comprehend it

JOHN 1:6-8

Multiple purposes

There was a man…

JOHN 1:35-37

JOHN 1:9-13

Too familiar

As many as received Him

Who believe in His name

The will of God

JOHN 1:14-17

And the word became flesh

JOHN 1:18

The bosom of God

ISAIAH 40:11

PROVERBS 8:30-36

LUKE 16:17-20

JOHN 1:19-23

Who John wasn’t

MATTHEW 5:8

PSALM 86:11-12

Who John was

LUKE 1:17

ISAIAH 40:3-5

JOHN 1:24-28

Why then are you baptizing?

MATT 7:21-23

MATT 25:11-12

MATT 25:41-46

LUKE 6:46-49

MICAH 6:8

MATTHEW 25:45-46

“Whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

JOHN 12:46-48

JOHN 1:29-42

JOHN 1:29-30

The Lamb of God

EXODUS 12:2-14

ISAIAH 53:7

ROMANS 6:23

1 CORINTHIANS 5:7

ISAIAH 53:4-6

1 PETER 2:24-25

A higher rank than I

After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me

JOHN 1:31-34

“I did not recognize Him…”

MATTHEW 28:19-20

I saw the Spirit descending

I have seen and testified

JOHN 1:35-37

Two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus

JOHN 1:38-42

Then Jesus turned…

What do you seek?

Master, where are you staying?

“Come and see…”

“He first found his brother…”

“We have found the Messiah, the Christ!”

You shall be called

ISAIAH 62:4

OVERVIEW: THEN JESUS TURNED…

John 02