The Word

Today we read a passage that is the Mount Everest on the Deity of Christ-John 1:1-18. This passage is so grand that we'll spend a little longer on it and dedicate more space here to it. First, since we're beginning a new Gospel, let's review the different perspectives of each Gospel. The four Gospels themselves record "The Manifestations of Christ". In Matthew, Christ is manifested in His sovereignty as King to the Jews (Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience). In Mark, Christ is manifested in His ministry as the suffering Servant to the Romans (Mark wrote to a Roman audience). In Luke, Christ is manifested in His perfect Humanity as the Son of Man to the Greeks (Luke wrote to a Gentile audience). In John, Christ is manifested in His Deity as the Son of God to the whole world (John wrote to the entire audience).
1:1: The Deity of Jesus Christ. Read this verse and then read John 10:30 and Heb.1:5-13 and go back and read Gen.1:1. Now read John 1:14.
1:14: 100% Deity and 100% Humanity. The Word became flesh, i.e, Jesus Christ became human. He dwelt among us. The word 'dwelt' literally means 'tabernacled'. The Word, the Logos, the Creator, the Sustainer, God Himself, became flesh and tabernacled among us. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was covered with badger skins and was so plain on the outside. But the inside was adorned with gold, silver, fine embroidery, and precious stones for the chabod, the glory of God that filled the Holy of Holies. The same is true of Jesus. Externally he was ordinary in His appearance. So ordinary that Judas had to identify Him to the Roman soldiers with a kiss. But the presence , the substance, the glory of God dwelt within Him to such a degree that some of it "leaked out" on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt.17:2). [Jon Courson, p.438]. Just as the 'chabod' glory was seen in the tabernacle of the O.T., it was also seen in Jesus, the Son of God. John said, "we beheld His glory..."
1:3-5: Again, The Deity and Preincarnate Work of the Son of God. Read Col.1:16-17 and Heb.1:2. One of the favorite questions Muslims ask Christians is 'how old is Christianity?' The average, caught off guard Christian will respond 'ugh, about 2000 years old.' Then he'll reply, "our religion goes all the way back to Abraham." But what the average Christian forgets is John chapter one. Jesus was already there at the beginning. He created it all. In fact John even quotes Jesus saying, "Before Abraham was, I AM". (8:58). Christianity predates all religions because Christ is eternal. Don't ever forget that. Don't ever be tripped up by those trick questions.
Time and space just will not allow us to fully develop this passage, but go back and read and reread this passage and let it soak in. God Himself, became a man in order to save us. The Son of God became the Son of Man in order that the sons of men could become the sons of God! Hallelujah what a Savior!