John 1

John 1

John chapter 1 is an amazing chapter packed with Old Testament and New Testament imagery. It’s a chapter that introduces the Jesus narrative while continuing the Old Testament story. 

John starts with a direct use of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word.” Just as Genesis starts with “In the beginning, God created…”, so now John starts his gospel by stating that the Jesus described in his writing is God, present even at creation. Jesus was the means by which creation was made (v.3) and the true light of creation (Gen 1:3). John’s point is that since Jesus was the source of life and light in creation, he is now going to come to earth to bring new life and new light to humanity. 

John 1:12-13 then focuses on the rejection Jesus will receive from his own people (Israel) and the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s family. This was something the prophets spoke about. One day all nations and people would be able to be a part of God’s family and it would not have to do with bloodline. Jesus would come to make a new family based on faith (v.12). 

John then poetically tells how Jesus would fulfill the Exodus story. At the end of Exodus, God comes to dwell in the tabernacle, the meeting place between heaven and earth. John says that Jesus came and dwelled among us humans. He came as a human, lived as a human, died as a human. They saw his glory just as Israel saw the glory of Yahweh fill the tabernacle. Torah came through Moses but John says grace and truth came through Jesus. 

John poetically introduces Jesus to his readers by looking at the whole biblical story from Genesis to the prophets. Jesus fulfills all of it. He is the light of the world, the long awaited Messiah, and the one who brings grace and truth to humankind.