WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudy

Bible
John1
Verses151
Chapter1
THEWORD(John1:118)
1:118Whentheworldhaditsbeginning,theWordwasalready
thereandtheWordwaswithGodandtheWordwasGod.This
WordwasinthebeginningwithGod.Hewastheagentthrough
whomallthingsweremadeandthereisnotasinglethingwhich
existsinthisworldwhichcameintobeingwithouthim.Inhim
waslifeandthelifewasthelightofmenandthelightshinesin
thedarkness,becausethedarknesshasneverbeenableto
conquerit.ThereemergedamansentfromGodwhosename
wasJohn.Hecameasawitness,inordertobearwitnesstothe
light,thatthroughhimallmightbelieve.Hehimselfwasnotthe
lighthisfunctionwastobearwitnesstothelight.Hewasthe
reallight,who,inhiscomingintotheworld,giveslighttoevery
man.Hewasintheworld,and,althoughtheworldwasmadeby
him,theworlddidnotrecognizehim.Itwasintohisownhome
thathecame,andyethisownpeopledidnotreceivehim.Toall
thosewhodidreceivehim,tothosewhobelieveinhisname,he
gavetherighttobecomethechildrenofGod.Thesewereborn,
notofblood,norofanyhumanimpulse,norofanyman'swill,
buttheirbirthwasofGod.SotheWordbecameaperson,and
tookuphisabodeinourbeing,fullofgraceandtruthandwe
beheldhisglory,glorysuchasanonlysonreceivesfromhis
father.Johnwashiswitness,forhecried:"ThisisheofwhomI
saidtoyou,hewhocomesaftermehasbeenadvancedbefore
me,becausehewasbeforeme.Onhisfullnessweallofus
havedrawn,andwehavereceivedgraceupongrace,becauseit
wasthelawwhichwasgivenbyMoses,butgraceandtruth
camethroughJesusChrist.NoonehaseverseenGod.Itisthe
uniqueone,hewhoisGod,hewhoisinthebosomofthe
Father,whohastoldusallaboutGod."
Weshallgoontostudythispassageinshortsectionsandindetailbut,beforewe
doso,wemusttrytounderstandwhatJohnwasseekingtosaywhenhedescribed
JesusastheWord.
TheWordBecameFlesh(John1:118Continued)
ThefirstchapteroftheFourthGospelisoneofthegreatestadventuresofreligious
thoughteverachievedbythemindofman.
ItwasnotlongbeforetheChristianchurchwasconfrontedwithaverybasicproblem.
IthadbeguninJudaism.InthebeginningallitsmembershadbeenJews.Byhuman
descentJesuswasaJew,and,toallintentsandpurposes,exceptforbriefvisitsto
thedistrictsofTyreandSidon,andtotheDecapolis,hewasneveroutside
Palestine.ChristianitybeganamongsttheJewsandthereforeinevitablyitspokein
theJewishlanguageandusedJewishcategoriesofthought.

ButalthoughitwascradledinJudaismitverysoonwentoutintothewiderworld.
WithinthirtyyearsofJesus'deathithadtravelledalloverAsiaMinorandGreece
andhadarrivedinRome.ByA.D.60theremusthavebeenahundredthousand
GreeksinthechurchforeveryJewwhowasaChristian.Jewishideaswere
completelystrangetotheGreeks.Totakebutoneoutstandingexample,theGreeks
hadneverheardoftheMessiah.TheverycentreofJewishexpectation,thecoming
oftheMessiah,wasanideathatwasquitealientotheGreeks.Theverycategoryin
whichtheJewishChristiansconceivedandpresentedJesusmeantnothingtothem.
HerethenwastheproblemhowwasChristianitytobepresentedtotheGreekworld?
Lecky,thehistorian,oncesaidthattheprogressandspreadofanyideadepends,
notonlyonitsstrengthandforcebutonthepredispositiontoreceiveitoftheageto
whichitispresented.ThetaskoftheChristianchurchwastocreateintheGreek
worldapredispositiontoreceivetheChristianmessage.AsE.J.Goodspeedputit,
thequestionwas,"MustaGreekwhowasinterestedinChristianityberoutedthrough
JewishMessianicideasandthroughJewishwaysofthinking,orcouldsomenew
approachbefoundwhichwouldspeakoutofhisbackgroundtohismindandheart?"
TheproblemwashowtopresentChristianityinsuchawaythataGreekwould
understand.
RoundabouttheyearA.D.100therewasamaninEphesuswhowasfascinatedby
thatproblem.HisnamewasJohn.HelivedinaGreekcity.HedealtwithGreeksto
whomJewishideaswerestrangeandunintelligibleandevenuncouth.Howcouldhe
findawaytopresentChristianitytotheseGreeksinawaythattheywouldwelcome
andunderstand?Suddenlythesolutionflasheduponhim.InbothGreekandJewish
thoughtthereexistedtheconceptionoftheword.Herewassomethingwhichcould
beworkedouttomeetthedoubleworldofGreekJew.Herewassomethingwhich
belongedtotheheritageofbothracesandthatbothcouldunderstand.
Letusthenbeginbylookingatthetwobackgroundsoftheconceptionoftheword.
TheJewishBackground
IntheJewishbackgroundfourstrandscontributedsomethingtotheideaofthe
word.
(i)TotheJewawordwasfarmorethanameresounditwassomethingwhich
hadanindependentexistenceandwhichactuallydidthings.AsProfessorJohn
Patersonhasputit:"ThespokenwordtotheHebrewwasfearfullyalive....Itwasa
unitofenergychargedwithpower.Itflieslikeabullettoitsbillet."Forthatvery
reasontheHebrewwassparingofwords.Hebrewspeechhasfewerthan10,000
Greekspeechhas200,000.
Amodernpoettellshowoncethedoerofanheroicdeedwasunabletotellitto
hisfellowtribesmenforlackofwords.Whereupontherearoseaman"afflictedwith
thenecessarymagicofwords,"andhetoldthestoryintermssovividandso
movingthat"thewordsbecamealiveandwalkedupanddownintheheartsofhis
hearers."Thewordsofthepoetbecameapower.Historyhasmanyanexampleof
thatkindofthing.
WhenJohnKnoxpreachedinthedaysoftheReformationinScotlanditwas
saidthatthevoiceofthatonemanputmorecourageintotheheartsofhishearers
thantenthousandtrumpetsbrayingintheirears.Hiswordsdidthingstopeople.In
thedaysoftheFrenchRevolutionRougetdeLislewrotetheMarseillaiseandthat
songsentmenmarchingtorevolution.Thewordsdidthings.Inthedaysofthe
SecondWorldWar,whenBritainwasbereftalikeofalliesandofweapons,thewords
ofthePrimeMinister,SirWinstonChurchill,ashebroadcasttothenation,didthings
topeople.
ItwasevenmoresointheEast,andstillis.Totheeasternpeopleawordisnot
merelyasounditisapowerwhichdoesthings.OncewhenSirGeorgeAdamSmith
wastravellinginthedesertintheEast,agroupofMoslemsgavehispartythe
customarygreeting:"Peacebeuponyou."Atthemomenttheyfailedtonoticethat
hewasaChristian.Whentheydiscoveredthattheyhadspokenablessingtoan
infidel,theyhurriedbacktoaskfortheblessingbackagain.Thewordwaslikea
thingwhichcouldbesentouttodothingsandwhichcouldbebroughtbackagain.

WillCarleton,thepoet,expressessomethinglikethat:
"Boysflyingkiteshaulintheirwhitewingedbirds
Youcan'tdothatwaywhenyou'reflyingwords:
'Carefulwithfire,'isgoodadviceweknow,
'Carefulwithwords,'istentimesdoublyso.
Thoughtsunexpressedmaysometimesfallback
dead,
ButGodhimselfcan'tkillthemwhenthey'resaid."
Wecanwellunderstandhowtotheeasternpeopleswordshadanindependent,
powerfilledexistence.
(ii)Ofthatgeneralideaofthepowerofwords,theOldTestamentisfull.Once
IsaachadbeendeceivedintoblessingJacobinsteadofEsau,nothinghecoulddo
couldtakethatwordofblessingbackagain(Genesis27:146).Thewordhadgone
outandhadbeguntoactandnothingcouldstopit.Inparticularweseethewordof
GodinactionintheCreationstory.Ateverystageofitweread:"AndGodsaid..."
(Genesis1:3Genesis1:6Genesis1:11).ThewordofGodisthecreatingpower.
Againandagainwegetthisideaofthecreative,acting,dynamicwordofGod."By
thewordoftheLordtheheavensweremade"(Psalms33:6)."Hesentforthhisword
andhealedthem"(Psalms107:20)."Hesentforthhiscommandstotheearthhis
wordrunsswiftly"(Psalms147:15)."Soshallmywordbethatgoesforthfrommy
mouthitshallnotreturntomeempty,butitshallaccomplishthatwhichIpurpose,
andprosperinthethingforwhichIsentit"(Isaiah55:11)."Isnotmywordlikefire,
and,saystheLord,likeahammerwhichbreakstherockinpieces?"(Jeremiah
23:29)."Thouspakestfromthebeginningofcreation,eventhefirstday,andsaidst
thus:'Letheavenandearthbemade.'Andthywordwasaperfectwork"(2Esdras
6:38).ThewriteroftheBookofWisdomaddressesGodastheone,"whohastmade
anthingswiththyword"(WisdomofSolomon9:1).EverywhereintheOldTestament
thereisthisideaofthepowerful,creativeword.Evenmen'swordshaveakindof
dynamicactivityhowmuchmoremustitbesowithGod?
(iii)TherecameintoHebrewreligiouslifesomethingwhichgreatlyaccentuated
thedevelopmentofthisideaofthewordofGod.Forahundredyearsandmore
beforethecomingofJesusHebrewwasaforgottenlanguage.TheOldTestament
waswritteninHebrewbuttheJewsnolongerknewthelanguage.Thescholarsknew
it,butnottheordinarypeople.TheyspokeadevelopmentofHebrewcalledAramaic
whichistoHebrewsomewhatasmodernEnglishistoAngloSaxon.Sincethatwas
sotheScripturesoftheOldTestamenthadtobetranslatedintothislanguagethat
thepeoplecouldunderstand,andthesetranslationswerecalledtheTargums.Inthe
synagoguethescriptureswerereadintheoriginalHebrew,butthentheywere
translatedintoAramaicandTargumswereusedastranslations.
TheTargumswereproducedinatimewhenmenwerefascinatedbythe
transcendenceofGodandcouldthinkofnothingbutthedistanceandthedifference
ofGod.BecauseofthatthemenwhomadetheTargumswereverymuchafraidof
attributinghumanthoughtsandfeelingsandactionstoGod.Toputitintechnical
language,theymadeeveryefforttoavoidanthropomorphisminspeakingofhim.
NowtheOldTestamentregularlyspeaksofGodinahumanwayandwherever
theymetathinglikethattheTargumssubstitutedthewordofGodforthenameof
God.Letusseehowthiscustomworked.InExodus19:17wereadthat"Moses
broughtthepeopleoutofthecamptomeetGod."TheTargumsthoughtthatwastoo
humanawaytospeakofGod,sotheysaidthatMosesbroughtthepeopleoutofthe
camptomeetthewordofGod.InExodus31:13wereadthatGodsaidtothepeople
thattheSabbath"isasignbetweenmeandyouthroughoutyourgenerations."That
wasfartoohumanawaytospeakfortheTargums,andsotheysaidthatthe
Sabbathisasign"betweenmywordandyou."Deuteronomy9:3saysthatGodisa
consumingfire,buttheTargumstranslateditthatthewordofGodisaconsuming
fire.Isaiah48:13hasagreatpictureofcreation:"Myhandlaidthefoundationofthe

earth,andmyrighthandspreadouttheheavens."Thatwasmuchtoohumana
pictureofGodfortheTargumsandtheymadeGodsay:"BymywordIhavefounded
theearthandbymystrengthIhavehunguptheheavens."Evensowonderfula
passageasDeuteronomy33:27whichspeaksofGod's"everlastingarms"was
changed,andbecame:"TheeternalGodisthyrefuge,andbyhiswordtheworldwas
created."
IntheJonathanTargumthephrasethewordofGodoccursnofewerthanabout
320times.ItisquitetruethatitissimplyaperiphrasisforthenameofGodbutthe
factremainsthatthewordofGodbecameoneofthecommonestformsofJewish
expression.ItwasaphrasewhichanydevoutJewwouldrecognizebecausehe
hearditsoofteninthesynagoguewhenscripturewasread.EveryJewwasusedto
speakingoftheMemra,thewordofGod.
(iv)Atthisstagewemustlookmorefullyatsomethingwealreadybegantolook
atintheintroduction.TheGreektermforwordisLogos(Greek#3056)butLogos
(Greek#3056)doesnotonlymeanworditalsomeansreason.ForJohn,andforall
thegreatthinkerswhomadeuseofthisidea,thesetwomeaningswerealways
closelyintertwined.WhenevertheyusedLogos(Greek#3056)thetwinideasofthe
WordofGodandtheReasonofGodwereintheirminds.
TheJewshadatypeofliteraturecalledTheWisdomLiteraturewhichwasthe
concentratedwisdomofsages.Itisnotusuallyspeculativeandphilosophical,but
practicalwisdomforthelivingandmanagementoflife.IntheOldTestamentthe
greatexampleofWisdomLiteratureistheBookofProverbs.Inthisbookthereare
certainpassageswhichgiveamysteriouslifegivingandeternalpowertoWisdom
(Sophia).InthesepassagesWisdomhasbeen,asitwere,personified,andis
thoughtofastheeternalagentandcoworkerofGod.Therearethreemain
passages.
ThefirstisProverbs3:1326.Outofthatpassagewemayspeciallynote:
"Sheisatreeoflifetothosewholayholdofherthosewho
holdherfastarecalledhappy.TheLordbywisdomfoundedthe
earthbyunderstandingheestablishedtheheavensbyhis
knowledgethedeepsbrokeforth,andthecloudsdropdownthe
dew"(Proverbs3:1820).
WerememberthatLogos(Greek#3056)meansWordandalsomeansReason.
WehavealreadyseenhowtheJewsthoughtofthepowerfulandcreativewordof
God.Hereweseetheothersidebeginningtoemerge.WisdomisGod'sagentin
enlightenmentandincreationandWisdomandReasonareverymuchthesame
thing.WehaveseenhowimportantLogos(Greek#3056)wasinthesenseofWord
nowweseeitbeginningtobeimportantinthesenseofWisdomorReason.
ThesecondimportantpassageisProverbs4:513.Initwemaynotice:
"Keepholdofinstruction,donotletgoguardher,forsheis
yourlife."
TheWordisthelightofmenandWisdomisthelightofmen.Thetwoideasare
amalgamatingwitheachotherrapidlynow.
ThemostimportantpassageofallisinProverbs8:19Proverbs2:122.Initwe
mayspeciallynote:
"TheLordcreatedme(Wisdomisspeaking)atthebeginningofhis
work,thefirstofhisactsofold.AgesagoIwassetup,atthe
first,beforethebeginningoftheearth.Whentherewereno

depthsIwasbroughtforth,whentherewerenospringsabounding
withwater.Beforethemountainshadbeenshaped,beforethe
hills,Iwasbroughtforthbeforehehadmadetheearthwithits
fields,orthefirstofthedustoftheworld.Whenheestablished
theheavens,Iwasthere,whenhedrewacircleonthefaceofthe
deepwhenhemadefirmtheskiesabovewhenheestablishedthe
fountainsofthedeepwhenheassignedtotheseaitslimit,so
thatthewatersmightnottransgresshiscommandwhenhemarked
outthefoundationsoftheearth,thenIwasbesidehim,likea
masterworkmanandIwasdailyhisdelight,rejoicingbefore
himalways"(Proverbs8:2230).
WhenwereadthatpassagethereisechoafterechoofwhatJohnsaysofthe
wordintheJohn1:151.Wisdomhadthateternalexistence,thatlightgiving
function,thatcreativepowerwhichJohnattributedtotheword,theLogos(Greek
#3056),withwhichheidentifiedJesusChrist.
Thedevelopmentofthisideaofwisdomdidnotstophere.BetweentheOldand
theNewTestament,menwentonproducingthiskindofwritingcalledWisdom
Literature.Ithadsomuchconcentratedwisdominitanddrewsomuchfromthe
experienceofwisementhatitwasapricelessguideforlife.Inparticulartwovery
greatbookswerewritten,whichareincludedintheApocryphaandwhichitwilldo
anyman'ssoulgoodtoread.
(a)ThefirstiscalledTheWisdomofJesus,thesonofSirach,or,asitisbetter
known,Ecclesiasticus.Ittoomakesmuchofthisgreatconceptionofthecreative
andeternalwisdomofGod.
"Thesandofthesea,andthedropsoftherain,
Andthedaysofeternitywhoshallnumber?
Theheightoftheheavenandthebreadthoftheearth
Andthedeepandwisdom,whoshallsearchthem
out?
Wisdomhathbeencreatedbeforeallthings,
Andtheunderstandingofprudencefromeverlasting"
(Sirach1:110).
"IcameforthfromthemouthoftheMostHigh,
Andcoveredtheearthasamist.
Idweltinhighplaces,
Andmythroneisinthepillarofthecloud.
AloneIcompassedthecircuitoftheheaven,
Andwalkedinthedepthoftheabyss"
(Sirach24:35).
"Hecreatedmefromthebeginningoftheworld,

AndtotheendIshallnotfail"
(Sirach24:9).
Hereagainwefindwisdomastheeternal,creativepowerwhichwasatGod'ssidein
thedaysofcreationandthebeginningoftime.
(b)EcclesiasticuswaswritteninPalestineabouttheyear100B.C.andatalmost
thesametimeanequallygreatbookwaswritteninAlexandriainEgypt,calledThe
WisdomofSolomon.Initthereisthegreatestofallpicturesofwisdom.Wisdomis
thetreasurewhichmenusetobecomethefriendsofGod(WisdomofSolomon
7:14).Wisdomistheartificerofallthings(WisdomofSolomon7:22).Sheisthe
breathofthepowerofGodandapureeffluenceflowingfromtheAlmighty(Wisdom
ofSolomon7:25).Shecandoallthingsandmakesallthingsnew(Wisdomof
Solomon7:27).
Butthewriterdoesmorethantalkaboutwisdomheequateswisdomandtheword.
Tohimthetwoideasarethesame.HecantalkofthewisdomofGodandtheword
ofGodinthesamesentenceandwiththesamemeaning.WhenhepraystoGod,
hisaddressis:
OGodofmyfathers,andLordofmercy,whohastmadeall
thingswiththyword,andordainedmanthroughthywisdom
(WisdomofSolomon9:2).
HecanspeakofthewordalmostasJohnwastospeak:
"Forwhileallthingswereinquietsilence,andthatnightwasin
themidstofherswiftcourse,thineAlmightywordleapeddown
fromheavenoutofthyroyalthrone,asafiercemanofwarinto
themidstofalandofdestruction,andbroughtthineunfeigned
commandmentasasharpsword,andstandingupfilledallthings
withdeathandittouchedtheheavenbutitstoodupontheearth
(WisdomofSolomon18:1416).
TothewriteroftheBookofWisdom,wisdomwasGod'seternal,creative,
illuminatingpowerwisdomandthewordwereoneandthesame.Itwaswisdomand
thewordwhowereGod'sinstrumentsandagentsincreationandwhoeverbringthe
willofGodtothemindandheartofman.
SowhenJohnwassearchingforawayinwhichhecouldcommendChristianityhe
foundinhisownfaithandintherecordofhisownpeopletheideaoftheword,the
ordinarywordwhichisinitselfnotmerelyasound,butadynamicthing,thewordof
GodbywhichGodcreatedtheworld,thewordoftheTargumswhichexpressedthe
veryideaoftheactionofGod,thewisdomoftheWisdomLiteraturewhichwasthe
eternalcreativeandilluminatingpowerofGod.SoJohnsaid:"Ifyouwishtoseethat
wordofGod,ifyouwishtoseethecreativepowerofGod,ifyouwishtoseethat
wordwhichbroughttheworldintoexistenceandwhichgiveslightandlifetoevery
man,lookatJesusChrist.InhimthewordofGodcameamongyou."
TheGreekBackground
WebeganbyseeingthatJohn'sproblemwasnotthatofpresentingChristianityto
theJewishworld,butofpresentingittotheGreekworld.Howthendidthisideaof
thewordfitintoGreekthought?Itwasalreadytherewaitingtobeused.InGreek
thoughttheideaofthewordbeganawaybackabout560B.C.,and,strangely
enough,inEphesuswheretheFourthGospelwaswritten.
In560B.C.therewasanEphesianphilosophercalledHeraclituswhosebasicidea
wasthateverythingisinastateofflux.Everythingwaschangingfromdaytoday

andfrommomenttomoment.Hisfamousillustrationwasthatitwasimpossibleto
steptwiceintothesameriver.Youstepintoariveryoustepoutyoustepinagain
butyoudonotstepintothesameriver,forthewaterhasflowedonanditisa
differentriver.ToHeraclituseverythingwaslikethat,everythingwasinaconstantly
changingstateofflux.Butifthatbeso,whywaslifenotcompletechaos?Howcan
therebeanysenseinaworldwheretherewasconstantfluxandchange?
TheanswerofHeraclituswas:allthischangeandfluxwasnothaphazarditwas
controlledandordered,followingacontinuouspatternallthetimeandthatwhich
controlledthepatternwastheLogos(Greek#3056),theword,thereasonofGod.To
Heraclitus,theLogos(Greek#3056)wastheprincipleoforderunderwhichthe
universecontinuedtoexist.Heraclituswentfurther.Heheldthatnotonlywastherea
patterninthephysicalworldtherewasalsoapatternintheworldofevents.Heheld
thatnothingmovedwithaimlessfeetinalllifeandinalltheeventsoflifetherewas
apurpose,aplanandadesign.Andwhatwasitthatcontrolledevents?Onceagain,
theanswerwasLogos(Greek#3056).
Heraclitustookthematterevennearerhome.Whatwasitthatinusindividuallytold
usthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong?Whatmadeusabletothinkandto
reason?Whatenabledustochoosearightandtorecognizethetruthwhenwesaw
it?OnceagainHeraclitusgavethesameanswer.Whatgaveamanreasonand
knowledgeofthetruthandtheabilitytojudgebetweenrightandwrongwasthe
Logos(Greek#3056)ofGoddwellingwithinhim.Heraclitusheldthatintheworldof
natureandevents"allthingshappenaccordingtotheLogos(Greek#3056),"and
thatintheindividualman"theLogos(Greek#3056)isthejudgeoftruth."TheLogos
(Greek#3056)wasnothinglessthanthemindofGodcontrollingtheworldandevery
maninit.
OncetheGreekshaddiscoveredthisideatheyneverletitgo.Itfascinatedthem,
especiallytheStoics.TheStoicswerealwaysleftinwonderingamazementatthe
orderoftheworld.Orderalwaysimpliesamind.TheStoicsasked:"Whatkeepsthe
starsintheircourses?Whatmakesthetidesebbandflow?Whatmakesdayand
nightcomeinunalterableorder?Whatbringstheseasonsroundattheirappointed
times?"Andtheyanswered"AllthingsarecontrolledbytheLogos(Greek#3056)of
God."TheLogos(Greek#3056)isthepowerwhichputssenseintotheworld,the
powerwhichmakestheworldanorderinsteadofachaos,thepowerwhichsetthe
worldgoingandkeepsitgoinginitsperfectorder."TheLogos(Greek#3056),"said
theStoics,"pervadesallthings."
ThereisstillanothernameintheGreekworldatwhichwemustlook.InAlexandria
therewasaJewcalledPhilowhohadmadeitthebusinessofhislifetostudythe
wisdomoftwoworlds,theJewishandtheGreek.NomaneverknewtheJewish
scripturesasheknewthemandnoJeweverknewthegreatnessofGreekthought
asheknewit.HetooknewandusedandlovedthisideaoftheLogos(Greek
#3056),theword,thereasonofGod.HeheldthattheLogos(Greek#3056)wasthe
oldestthingintheworldandtheinstrumentthroughwhichGodhadmadetheworld.
HesaidthattheLogos(Greek#3056)wasthethoughtofGodstampeduponthe
universehetalkedabouttheLogos(Greek#3056)bywhichGodmadetheworld
andallthingshesaidthatGod,thepilotoftheuniverse,heldtheLogos(Greek
#3056)asatillerandwithitsteeredallthings.Hesaidthatman'smindwasstamped
alsowiththeLogos(Greek#3056),thattheLogos(Greek#3056)waswhatgavea
manreason,thepowertothinkandthepowertoknow.HesaidthattheLogos
(Greek#3056)wastheintermediarybetweentheworldandGodandthattheLogos
(Greek#3056)wasthepriestwhosetthesoulbeforeGod.
GreekthoughtknewallabouttheLogos(Greek#3056)itsawintheLogos(Greek
#3056)thecreatingandguidinganddirectingpowerofGod,thepowerwhichmade
theuniverseandkeptitgoing.SoJohncametotheGreeksandsaid:"Forcenturies
youhavebeenthinkingandwritinganddreamingabouttheLogos(Greek#3056),the
powerwhichmadetheworld,thepowerwhichkeepstheorderoftheworld,thepower
bywhichmenthinkandreasonandknow,thepowerbywhichmencomeinto
contactwithGod.JesusisthatLogos(Greek#3056)comedowntoearth.""The
word,"saidJohn,"becameflesh."Wecouldputitanotherway"TheMindofGod
becameaperson."
BothJewAndGreek

SlowlytheJewsandGreekshadthoughttheirwaytotheconceptionoftheLogos
(Greek#3056),theMindofGodwhichmadetheworldandmakessenseofit.So
JohnwentouttoJewsandGreekstotellthemthatinJesusChristthiscreating,
illuminating,controlling,sustainingmindofGodhadcometoearth.Hecametotell
themthatmenneednolongerguessandgropeallthattheyhadtodowastolookat
JesusandseetheMindofGod.
TheEternalWord(John1:12)
1:12Whentheworldhaditsbeginning,thewordwasalready
thereandthewordwaswithGodandthewordwasGod.This
wordwasinthebeginningwithGod.
ThebeginningofJohn'sgospelisofsuchimportanceandofsuchdepthofmeaning
thatwemuststudyitalmostversebyverse.ItisJohn'sgreatthoughtthatJesusis
noneotherthanGod'screativeandlifegivingandlightgivingword,thatJesusisthe
powerofGodwhichcreatedtheworldandthereasonofGodwhichsustainsthe
worldcometoearthinhumanandbodilyform.
HereatthebeginningJohnsaysthreethingsaboutthewordwhichistosaythathe
saysthreethingsaboutJesus.
(i)Thewordwasalreadythereattheverybeginningthings.John'sthoughtisgoing
backtothefirstverseoftheBible."InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensand
theearth"(Genesis1:1).WhatJohnissayingisthisthewordisnotoneofthe
createdthingsthewordwastherebeforecreation.thewordisnotpartoftheworld
whichcameintobeingintimethewordispartofeternityandwastherewithGod
beforetimeandtheworldbegan.Johnwasthinkingofwhatisknownasthe
preexistenceofChrist.
Inmanywaysthisideaofpreexistenceisverydifficult,ifnotaltogetherimpossible,
tograsp.Butitdoesmeanoneverysimple,verypractical,andverytremendous
thing.IfthewordwaswithGodbeforetimebegan,ifGod'swordispartoftheeternal
schemeofthings,itmeansthatGodwasalwayslikeJesus.Sometimeswetendto
thinkofGodassternandavengingandwetendtothinkthatsomethingJesusdid
changedGod'sangerintoloveandalteredhisattitudetomen.TheNewTestament
knowsnothingofthatidea.ThewholeNewTestamenttellsus,thispassageofJohn
especially,thatGodhasalwaysbeenlikeJesus.WhatJesusdidwastoopena
windowintimethatwemightseetheeternalandunchangingloveofGod.
Wemaywellask,"WhatthenaboutsomeofthethingsthatwereadintheOld
Testament?WhataboutthepassageswhichspeakaboutcommandmentsofGodto
wipeoutwholecitiesandtodestroymen,womenandchildren?Whatoftheanger
andthedestructivenessandthejealousyofGodthatwesometimesreadofinthe
olderpartsofScripture?"TheansweristhisitisnotGodwhohaschangeditis
men'sknowledgeofhimthathaschanged.Menwrotethesethingsbecausetheydid
notknowanybetterthatwasthestagewhichtheirknowledgeofGodhadreached.
Whenachildislearninganysubject,hehastolearnitstagebystage.Hedoesnot
beginwithfullknowledgehebeginswithwhathecangraspandgoesontomoreand
more.Whenhebeginsmusicappreciation,hedoesnotstartwithaBachPrelude
andFuguehestartswithsomethingmuchmoresimpleandgoesthroughstage
afterstageuntilhisknowledgegrows.ItwasthatwaywithmenandGod.Theycould
onlygraspandunderstandGod'snatureandhiswaysinpart.Itwasonlywhen
JesuscamethattheysawfullyandcompletelywhatGodhasalwaysbeenlike.
Itistoldthatalittlegirlwasonceconfrontedwithsomeofthemorebloodthirstyand
savagepartsoftheOldTestament.Hercommentwas:"Butthathappenedbefore
GodbecameaChristian!"Ifwemaysoputitwithallreverence,whenJohnsays
thatthewordwasalwaysthere,heissayingthatGodwasalwaysaChristian.Heis
tellingusthatGodwasandisandevershallbelikeJesusbutmencouldnever
knowandrealizethatuntilJesuscame.
(ii)JohngoesontosaythatthewordwaswithGodWhatdoeshemeanbythat?He
meansthatalwaystherehasbeentheclosestconnectionbetweenthewordand
God.Letusputthatinanotherandasimplerwaytherehasalwaysbeenthemost

intimateconnectionbetweenJesusandGod.Thatmeansnoonecantelluswhat
Godislike,whatGod'swillisforus,whatGod'sloveandheartandmindarelike,as
Jesuscan.
Letustakeasimplehumananalogy.Ifwewanttoknowwhatsomeonereallythinks
andfeelsaboutsomething,andifweareunabletoapproachthepersonourselves,
wedonotgotosomeonewhoismerelyanacquaintanceofthatperson,tosomeone
whohasknownhimonlyashorttimewegotosomeonewhomweknowtobean
intimatefriendofmanyyears'standing.Weknowthathewillreallybeableto
interpretthemindandtheheartoftheotherpersontous.
ItissomethinglikethatthatJohnissayingaboutJesus.HeissayingthatJesus
hasalwaysbeenwithGod.Letususeeveryhumanlanguagebecauseitistheonly
languagewecanuse.JohnissayingthatJesusissointimatewithGodthatGod
hasnosecretsfromhimandthat,therefore,Jesusistheonepersoninallthe
universewhocanrevealtouswhatGodislikeandhowGodfeelstowardsus.
(iii)FinallyJohnsaysthatthewordwasGodThisisadifficultsayingforusto
understand,anditisdifficultbecauseGreek,inwhichJohnwrote,hadadifferent
wayofsayingthingsfromthewayinwhichEnglishspeaks.WhenGreekusesa
nounitalmostalwaysusesthedefinitearticlewithit.TheGreekforGodistheos
(Greek#2316)andthedefinitearticleisho(Greek#3588).WhenGreekspeaks
aboutGoditdoesnotsimplysaytheos(Greek#2316)itsayshotheos(Greek
#2316).NowwhenGreekdoesnotusethedefinitearticlewithanounthatnoun
becomesmuchmorelikeanadjective.Johndidnotsaythatthewordwasho(Greek
#3588)theos(Greek#2316)thatwouldhavebeentosaythatthewordwasidentical
withGod.Hesaidthatthewordwastheos(Greek#2316)withoutthedefinitearticle
whichmeansthatthewordwas,wemightsay,oftheverysamecharacterand
qualityandessenceandbeingasGod.WhenJohnsaidthewordwasGodhewas
notsayingthatJesuswasidenticalwithGodhewassayingthatJesuswasso
perfectlythesameasGodinmind,inheart,inbeingthatinhimweperfectlysee
whatGodislike.
SorightatthebeginningofhisgospelJohnlaysitdownthatinJesus,andinhim
alone,thereisperfectlyrevealedtomenallthatGodalwayswasandalwayswillbe,
andallthathefeelstowardsanddesiresformen.
TheCreatorOfAllThings(John1:3)
1:3Hewastheagentthroughwhomallthingsweremadeand
thereisnotasinglethingwhichexistsinthisworldwhichcame
intobeingwithouthim.
ItmayseemstrangetousthatJohnsostressesthewayinwhichtheworldwas
createdanditmayseemstrangethathesodefinitelyconnectsJesuswiththework
ofcreation.Buthehadtodothisbecauseofacertaintendencyinthethoughtofhis
day.
InthetimeofJohntherewasakindofheresycalledGnosticism.Itscharacteristic
wasthatitwasanintellectualandphilosophicalapproachtoChristianity.Tothe
GnosticsthesimplebeliefsoftheordinaryChristianwerenotenough.Theytriedto
constructaphilosophicsystemoutofChristianity.Theyweretroubledaboutthe
existenceofsinandevilandsorrowandsufferinginthisworld,sotheyworkedouta
theorytoexplainit.Thetheorywasthis.
InthebeginningtwothingsexistedtheonewasGodandtheotherwasmatter.
Matterwasalwaysthereandwastherawmaterialoutofwhichtheworldwasmade.
TheGnosticsheldthatthisoriginalmatterwasflawedandimperfect.Wemightputit
thattheworldgotofftoabadstart.Itwasmadeofmaterialwhichhadtheseedsof
corruptioninit.
TheGnosticswentfurther.God,theysaid,ispurespirit,andpurespiritcannever
touchmatteratan,stilllessmatterwhichisimperfect.Thereforeitwasnotpossible
forGodtocarryouttheworkofcreationhimselfSoheputoutfromhimselfaseries
ofemanations.EachemanationwasfurtherandfurtherawayfromGodandasthe
emanationsgotfurtherandfurtherawayfromhim,theyknewlessandlessabout

him.Abouthalfwaydowntheseriestherewasanemanationwhichknewnothingat
allaboutGod.Beyondthatstagetheemanationsbegantobenotonlyignorantofbut
actuallyhostiletoGod.Finallyintheseriestherewasanemanationwhichwasso
distantfromGodthatitwastotallyignorantofhimandtotallyhostiletohimandthat
emanationwasthepowerwhichcreatedtheworld,becauseitwassodistantfrom
Godthatitwaspossibleforittotouchthisflawedandevilmatter.Thecreatorgod
wasutterlydivorcedfromandutterlyatenmitywiththerealGod.
TheGnosticstookonestepfurther.TheyidentifiedthecreatorgodwiththeGodof
theOldTestamentandtheyheldthattheGodoftheOldTestamentwasquite
differentfrom,quiteignorantofandquitehostiletotheGodandFatherofJesus
Christ.
InthetimeofJohnthiskindofbeliefwaswidespread.Menbelievedthattheworld
wasevilandthatanevilGodhadcreatedit.ItistocombatthisteachingthatJohn
herelaysdowntwobasicChristiantruths.InpointoffacttheconnectionofJesus
withcreationisrepeatedlylaiddownintheNewTestament,justbecauseofthis
backgroundofthoughtwhichdivorcedGodfromtheworldinwhichwelive.In
Colossians1:16Paulwrites:"Forinhimallthingswerecreated,inheavenandon
earth...allthingswerecreatedthroughhimandforhim."In1Corinthians8:6he
writesoftheLordJesusChrist"throughwhomareallthings."Thewritertothe
HebrewsspeaksoftheonewhowastheSon,"throughwhomalsoGodcreatedthe
world"(Hebrews1:2).JohnandtheotherNewTestamentwriterswhospokelikethis
werestressingtwogreattruths.
(i)Christianityhasalwaysbelievedinwhatiscalledcreationoutofnothing.Wedo
notbelievethatinhiscreationoftheworldGodhadtoworkwithalienandevil
matter.Wedonotbelievethattheworldbeganwithanessentialflawinit.Wedonot
believethattheworldbeganwithGodandsomethingelse.Itisourbeliefthatbehind
everythingthereisGodandGodalone.
(ii)ChristianityhasalwaysbelievedthatthisisGod'sworld.Sofarfrombeingso
detachedfromtheworldthathecouldhavenothingtodowithit,Godisintimately
involvedinit.TheGnosticstriedtoputtheblamefortheeviloftheworldonthe
shouldersofitscreator.Christianitybelievesthatwhatiswrongwiththeworldisdue
toman'ssin.Buteventhoughsinhasinjuredtheworldandkeptitfrombeingwhatit
mighthavebeen,wecanneverdespisetheworld,becauseitisessentiallyGod's.If
webelievethisitgivesusanewsenseofthevalueoftheworldandanewsenseof
responsibilitytoit.
Thereisastoryofachildfromthebackstreetsofagreatcitywhowastakenfora
dayinthecountry.Whenshesawthebluebellsinthewoods,sheasked:"Doyou
thinkGodwouldmindifIpickedsomeofhisflowers?"ThisisGod'sworldbecause
ofthatnothingisoutofhiscontrolandbecauseofthatwemustuseallthingsinthe
awarenessthattheybelongtoGod.TheChristiandoesnotbelittletheworldby
thinkingthatitwascreatedbyanignorantandahostilegodheglorifiesitby
rememberingthateverywhereGodisbehinditandinit.HebelievesthattheChrist
whorecreatestheworldwasthecoworkerofGodwhentheworldwasfirstcreated,
andthat,intheactofredemption,Godisseekingtowinbackthatwhichwasalways
hisown.
LifeAndLight(John1:4)
1:4Inhimwaslifeandthelifewasthelightofmen.
Inagreatpieceofmusicthecomposeroftenbeginsbystatingthethemeswhichhe
isgoingtoelaborateinthecourseofthework.ThatiswhatJohndoeshere.Lifeand
lightaretwoofthegreatbasicwordsonwhichtheFourthGospelisbuiltup.They
aretwoofthemainthemeswhichitistheaimofthegospeltodevelopandto
expound.Letuslookatthemindetail.
TheFourthGospelbeginsandendswithlife.Attheverybeginningwereadthatin
JesuswaslifeandattheveryendwereadthatJohn'saiminwritingthegospelwas
thatmenmight"believethatJesusistheChrist,theSonofGod,andthatbelieving
youmayhavelifeinhisname"(John20:31).Thewordiscontinuallyonthelipsof
Jesus.Itishiswistfulregretthatmenwillnotcometohimthattheymighthavelife

(John5:40).Itishisclaimthathecamethatmenmighthavelifeandthattheymight
haveitabundantly(John10:10).Heclaimsthathegivesmenlifeandthattheywill
neverperishbecausenoonewillsnatchthemoutofhishand(John10:28).He
claimsthatheistheway,thetruthandthelife(John14:6).Inthegospeltheword
"life"(zoe,Greek#2222)occursmorethanthirtyfivetimesandtheverb"tolive"or
"tohavelife"(zao,Greek#2198)morethanfifteentimes.WhatthendoesJohn
meanby"life"?
(i)Quitesimply,hemeansthatlifeistheoppositeofdestruction,condemnationand
death.GodsenthisSonthatthemanwhobelievesshouldnotperishbuthave
eternallife(John3:16).Themanwhohearsandbelieveshaseternallifeandwillnot
comeintojudgment(John5:24).Thereisacontrastbetweentheresurrectiontolife
andtheresurrectiontojudgment(John5:29).ThosetowhomJesusgiveslifewill
neverperish(John10:28).ThereisinJesusthatwhichgivesamansecurityinthis
lifeandinthelifetocome.UntilweacceptJesusandtakehimasoursaviourand
enthronehimasourkingwecannotbesaidtoliveatall.Themanwholivesa
Christlesslifeexists,buthedoesnotknowwhatlifeis.Jesusistheonepersonwho
canmakelifeworthliving,andinwhosecompanydeathisonlythepreludetofuller
life.
(ii)ButJohnisquitesurethat,althoughJesusisthebringerofthislife,thegiverof
lifeisGod.AgainandagainJohnusesthephrasethelivingGod,asindeedthe
wholeBibledoes.ItisthewilloftheFatherwhosentJesusthateveryonewhosees
himandbelievesonhimshouldhavelife(John6:40).Jesusisthegiveroflife
becausetheFatherhassethisownsealofapprovaluponhim(John6:27).Hegives
lifetoasmanyasGodhasgivenhim(John17:2).AtthebackofitallthereisGod.
ItisasifGodwassaying:"Icreatedmenthattheyshouldhavereallifethrough
theirsintheyhaveceasedtoliveandonlyexistIhavesentthemmySontoenable
themtoknowwhatreallifeis."
(iii)Wemustaskwhatthislifeis.AgainandagaintheFourthGospelusesthe
phraseeternallife.Weshalldiscussthefullmeaningofthatphraselater.Atpresent
wenotethis.ThewordJohnusesforeternalisaionios(Greek#166).Clearly
whateverelseeternallifeis,itisnotsimplylifewhichlastsforever.Alifewhich
lastedforevercouldbeaterriblecurseoftenthethingforwhichmenlongisrelease
fromlife.Ineternallifetheremustbemorethandurationoflifetheremustbea
certainqualityoflife.
Lifeisnotdesirableunlessitisacertainkindoflife.Herewehavetheclue.Aionios
(Greek#166)istheadjectivewhichisrepeatedlyusedtodescribeGod.Inthetrue
senseofthewordonlyGodisaionios(Greek#166),eternalthereforeeternallifeis
thatlifewhichGodlives.WhatJesusoffersusfromGodisGod'sownlife.Eternal
lifeislifewhichknowssomethingoftheserenityandpowerofthelifeofGod
himself.WhenJesuscameofferingmeneternallife,hewasinvitingthemtoenter
intotheverylifeofGod.
(iv)How,then,doweenterintothatlife?WeenterintoitbybelievinginJesus
Christ.Thewordtobelieve(pisteuein,Greek#4100)occursintheFourthGospelno
fewerthanseventytimes."HewhobelievesintheSonhaseternallife"(John3:36).
"Hewhobelieves",saysJesus,"haseternallife"(John6:47).ItisGod'swillthat
menshouldseetheSon,andbelieveinhim,andhaveeternallife(John5:24).What
doesJohnmeanbytobelieve?Hemeanstwothings.
(a)HemeansthatwemustbeconvincedthatJesusisreallyandtrulytheSonof
God.Hemeansthatwemustmakeupourmindsabouthim.Afterall,ifJesusis
onlyaman,thereisnoreasonwhyweshouldgivehimtheutterandimplicit
obediencethathedemands.Wehavetothinkoutforourselveswhohewas.We
havetolookathim,learnabouthim,studyhim,thinkabouthimuntilwearedriven
totheconclusionthatthisisnoneotherthantheSonofGod.(b)Butthereismore
thanintellectualbeliefinthis.TobelieveinJesusmeanstotakeJesusathisword,
toaccepthiscommandmentsasabsolutelybinding,tobelievewithoutquestionthat
whathesaysistrue.
ForJohn,beliefmeanstheconvictionofthemindthatJesusistheSonofGod,the
trustoftheheartthateverythinghesaysistrueandthebasingofeveryactionon
theunshakableassurancethatwemusttakehimathisword.Whenwedothatwe

stopexistingandbeginliving.WeknowwhatLifewithacapitalLreallymeans.
LifeAndLight(John1:4Continued)
ThesecondofthegreatJohanninekeywordswhichwemeethereisthewordlight.
ThiswordoccursintheFourthGospelnofewerthantwentyonetimes.Jesusisthe
lightofmen.ThefunctionofJohntheBaptistwastopointmentothatlightwhich
wasinChrist.TwiceJesuscallshimselfthelightoftheworld(John8:12John9:5).
Thislightcanbeinmen(John11:10),sothattheycanbecomechildrenofthelight
(John12:36),"Ihavecome,"saidJesus,"aslightintotheworld"(John12:46).Let
usseeifwecanunderstandsomethingofthisideaofthelightwhichJesusbrings
intotheworld.Threethingsstandout.
(i)ThelightJesusbringsisthelightwhichputschaostoflight.Inthecreationstory
Godmoveduponthedark,formlesschaoswhichwasbeforetheworldbeganand
said:"Lettherebelight"(Genesis1:3).ThenewcreatedlightofGodroutedthe
emptychaosintowhichitcame.SoJesusisthelightwhichshinesinthedarkness
(John1:5).Heistheonepersonwhocansavelifefrombecomingachaos.Leftto
ourselvesweareatthemercyofourpassionsandourfears.
WhenJesusdawnsuponlife,lightcomes.Oneoftheoldestfearsintheworldisthe
fearofthedark.Thereisastoryofachildwhowastosleepinastrangehouse.His
hostess,thinkingtobekind,offeredtoleavethelightonwhenhewenttobed.
Politelyhedeclinedtheoffer."Ithought,"saidhishostess,"thatyoumightbeafraid
ofthedark.""Oh,no,"saidthelad,"yousee,it'sGod'sdark."WithJesusthenight
islightaboutusastheday.
(ii)ThelightwhichJesusbringsisarevealinglight.Itisthecondemnationofmen
thattheylovedthedarknessratherthanthelightandtheydidsobecausetheir
deedswereevilandtheyhatedthelightlesttheirdeedsshouldbeexposed(John
3:1920).ThelightwhichJesusbringsissomethingwhichshowsthingsastheyare.
Itstripsawaythedisguisesandtheconcealmentsitshowsthingsinalltheir
nakednessitshowsthemintheirtruecharacterandtheirtruevalues.
LongagotheCynicssaidthatmenhatethetruthforthetruthislikethelighttosore
eyes.InCaedmon'spoemthereisastrangepicture.Itisapictureofthelastday
andinthecentreofthescenethereistheCrossandfromtheCrossthereflowsa
strangebloodredlight,andthemysteriousqualityofthatlightissuchthatitshows
thingsastheyare.Theexternals,thedisguises,theouterwrappingsandtrappings
arestrippedawayandeverythingstandsrevealedinthenakedandawfulloneliness
ofwhatitessentiallyis.
WeneverseeourselvesuntilweseeourselvesthroughtheeyesofJesus.Wenever
seewhatourlivesarelikeuntilweseetheminthelightofJesus.Jesusoftendrives
ustoGodbyrevealingustoourselves.
(iii)ThelightwhichJesusbringsisaguidinglight.Ifamandoesnotpossessthat
lighthewalksindarknessanddoesnotknowwhereheisgoing(John12:36).When
amanreceivesthatlightandbelievesinit,hewalksnomoreindarkness(John
12:46).Oneofthefeaturesofthegospelstorieswhichnoonecanmissisthe
numberofpeoplewhocamerunningtoJesusasking:"WhatamItodo?"When
Jesuscomesintolifethetimeofguessingandofgropingisended,thetimeofdoubt
anduncertaintyandvacillationisgone.Thepaththatwasdarkbecomeslightthe
decisionthatwaswrappedinanightofuncertaintyisillumined.WithoutJesuswe
arelikemengropingonanunknownroadinablackout.Withhimthewayisclear.
TheHostileDark(John1:5)
1:5Andthelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknessdid
notputitout.
HerewemeetanotherofJohn'skeywordsdarkness(skotos,Greek#4655,skotia,
Greek#4653).Thiswordoccursseventimesinthegospel.ToJohntherewasa
darknessintheworldthatwasasrealasthelight.
(i)Thedarknessishostiletothelight.Thelightshinesinthedarkness,but,however

hardthedarknesstries,itcannotextinguishit.Sinningmanlovesthedarknessand
hatesthelight,becausethelightshowsuptoomanythings.
ItmaywellbethatinJohn'smindthereisaborrowedthoughthere.John,aswe
know,waspreparedtogooutandtotakeinnewideas,ifbysodoinghecould
presentandcommendtheChristianmessagetomen.ThegreatPersianreligionof
Zoroastrianismhadatthistimeaverygreatinfluenceonmen'sthoughts.Itbelieved
thatthereweretwogreatopposingpowersintheuniverse,thegodofthelightand
thegodofthedark,AhrimanandOrmuzd.Thiswholeuniversewasabattleground
intheeternal,cosmicconflictbetweenthelightandthedarkandallthatmatteredin
lifewasthesideamanchose.
SoJohnissaying:"IntothisworldtherecomesJesus,thelightoftheworldthereis
adarknesswhichwouldseektoeliminatehim,tobanishhimfromlife,toextinguish
him.ButthereisapowerinJesusthatisundefeatable.Thedarknesscanhatehim,
butitcannevergetridofhim."Ashasbeentrulysaid:"Notallthedarknessinthe
worldcanextinguishthelittlestflame."Theunconquerablelightwillintheenddefeat
thehostiledark.Johnissaying:"Chooseyoursideintheeternalconflictandchoose
aright."
(ii)Thedarknessstandsforthenaturalsphereofallthosewhohatethegood.Itis
menwhosedeedsareevilwhofearthelight(John3:1920).Themanwhohas
somethingtohidelovesthedarkbutitisimpossibletohideanythingfromGod.His
searchlightsweepstheshadowsandilluminatestheskulkingevilsoftheworld.
(iii)Therearecertainpassageswherethedarknessseemstostandforignorance,
especiallyforthatwilfulignorancewhichrefusesthelightofJesusChrist.Jesus
says:"Iamthelightoftheworldhewhofollowsmewillnotwalkindarkness"(John
8:12).Hesaystohisdisciplesthatthelightwillbewiththemonlyforsoshorta
timeletthemwalkinitiftheydonot,thedarknesscomesandamanwhowalksin
darknessdoesnotlightthatmenshouldnotabideindarkness(John12:46).Without
JesusChristamancannotfindorseetheway.Heislikeablindfoldedmanoreven
ablindman.WithoutJesusChristlifegoeslost.ItwasGoethewhocriedoutfor:
"Light,morelight!"ItwasoneoftheoldScotsleaderswhosaidtohisfriends
towardstheend:"LightthecandlethatImayseetodie."Jesusisthelightwhich
showsamantheroad,andwhichlightstheroadateverystepoftheway.
TherearetimeswhenJohnusesthisworddarknesssymbolically.Heusesitat
timestomeanmorethanmerelythedarkofanearthlynight.HetellsofJesus
walkingonthewater.Hetellshowthediscipleshadembarkedontheirboatandwere
crossingthelakewithoutJesusandthenhesays,"Anditwasnowdark,andJesus
hadnotyetcometothem"(John6:17).WithoutthepresenceofJesustherewas
nothingbutthethreateningdark.HetellsoftheResurrectionmorningandofthe
hoursbeforethosewhohadlovedJesusrealizedthathehadrisenfromthedead.He
beginsthestory:"NowonthefirstdayoftheweekMaryMagdalenecame,whileit
wasstilldark"(John20:1).Shewaslivingatthemomentinaworldfromwhichshe
thoughtJesushadbeeneliminated,andaworldlikethatwasdark.Hetellsthestory
oftheLastSupper.HetellshowJudasreceivedthesopandthenwentouttodohis
terribleworkandarrangeforthebetrayalofJesusandhesayswithakindofterrible
symbolism:"So,afterreceivingthemorsel,heimmediatelywentoutanditwas
night"(John13:30).Judaswasgoingoutintothenightofalifewhichhadbetrayed
Christ.
ToJohntheChristlesslifewaslifeinthedark.Thedarknessstandsforlifewithout
Christ,andespeciallyforthatwhichhasturneditsbackonChrist.
Beforeweleavethispassagethereisoneotherthingtonote.Thewordwhichwe
havetranslatedputoutisinGreekkatalambanein(Greek#2638).Thiswordcan
havethreemeanings.
Thereisasenseinwhichthemanoftheworldsimplycannotunderstandthe
demandsofChristandthewayChristoffershim.Tohimitseemssheerfoolishness.
AmancannotunderstandChristuntilhefirstsubmitstohim.
(b)Itcanmeanthedarknessneverovercamethelight.Katalambanein(Greek
#2638)canmeantopursueuntiloneovertakesandsolaysholdonandovercomes.

Thiscouldmeanthatthedarknessoftheworldhaddoneeverythingpossibleto
eliminateJesusChrist,eventocrucifyinghim,butitcouldneverdestroyhim.This
couldbeareferencetothecrucifiedandconqueringChrist.
(c)Itcanbeusedofextinguishingafireorflame.Thatisthesenseinwhichwehave
takenithere.Althoughmendidalltheycouldtoobscureandextinguishthelightof
GodinChrist,theycouldnotquenchit.IneverygenerationthelightofChriststill
shinesinspiteoftheeffortsofmentoextinguishtheflame.
TheWitnessToJesusChrist(John1:68)
1:68ThereemergedamansentfromGodwhosenamewas
John.Hecameasawitness,inordertobearwitnesstothe
light,thatthroughhimallmightbelieve.Hehimselfwasnotthe
lighthisfunctionwastobearwitnesstothelight.
ItisastrangefactthatintheFourthGospeleveryreferencetoJohntheBaptistisa
referenceofdepreciation.Thereisanexplanationofthat.Johnwasaprophetic
voiceforfourhundredyearsthevoiceofprophecyhadbeensilent,andinJohnit
spokeagain.ItseemsthatcertainpeopleweresofascinatedbyJohnthattheygave
himahigherplacethanheoughttohavehad.Thereare,infact,indicationsthat
therewasactuallyasectwhoputJohntheBaptistinthehighestplace.Wefindan
echooftheminActs19:34.InEphesusPaulcameuponcertainpeoplewhoknew
nothingbutthebaptismofJohn.ItwasnotthattheFourthGospelwishedtocriticize
Johnorthatitunderratedhisimportance.ItwassimplythatJohnknewthatthere
werecertainpeoplewhogaveJohntheBaptistaplacethatencroacheduponthe
placeofJesushimself.
SoallthroughtheFourthGospelJohniscarefultopointoutthattheplaceofJohn
theBaptistintheschemeofthingswashigh,butthatnonethelessitwasstill
subordinatetotheplaceofJesusChrist.HereheiscarefultosaythatJohnwasnot
thatlight,butonlyawitnesstothelight(John1:8).HeshowsusJohndenyingthat
hewastheChrist,oreventhathewasthegreatprophetwhomMoseshadpromised
(John1:20).WhentheJewscametoJohnandtoldhimthatJesushadbegunhis
careerasateachertheymusthaveexpectedJohntoresentthisintrusion.Butthe
FourthGospelshowsusJohndenyingthatthefirstplacewashisanddeclaringthat
hemustdecreasewhileJesusincreased(John3:2530).ItispointedoutthatJesus
wasmoresuccessfulinhisappealtomenthanJohnwas(John4:1).Itispointedout
thateventhepeoplesaidthatJohnwasnotabletodothethingsthatJesusdid
(John10:41).
SomewhereinthechurchtherewasagroupofmenwhowishedtogiveJohnthe
Baptisttoohighaplace.JohntheBaptisthimselfgavenoencouragementtothatbut
ratherdideverythingtodiscourageit.ButtheFourthGospelknewthatthattendency
wasthereandtookstepstoguardagainstit.Itcanstillhappenthatmenmay
worshipapreacherratherthanChrist.Itcanstillhappenthatmen'seyesmaybe
fixedupontheheraldratherthanupontheKingofwhomheisthemessenger.John
theBaptistwasnotintheleasttoblameforwhathadhappenedbutJohnthe
evangelistwasdeterminedtoseethatnoneshouldshoulderChristfromoutthe
topmostniche.
Itismoreimportanttonotethatinthispassagewecomeuponanotherofthegreat
keywordsoftheFourthGospel.Thatisthewordwitness.TheFourthGospel
presentsuswithwitnessafterwitnesstothesupremeplaceofJesusChrist,eightno
less.
(i)ThereisthewitnessoftheFather.Jesussaid:"TheFatherwhosentmehas
himselfbornewitnesstome"(John5:37)."TheFatherwhosentmebearswitnessto
me"(John8:18).WhatdidJesusmeanbythis?Hemeanttwothings.
Hemeantsomethingwhichaffectedhimself.InhishearttheinnervoiceofGod
spoke,andthatvoicelefthiminnodoubtastowhohewasandwhathewassentto
do.Jesusdidnotregardhimselfashavinghimselfchosenhistask.Hisinner
convictionwasthatGodhadsenthimintotheworldtoliveandtodieformen.
Hemeantsomethingwhichaffectedmen.WhenamanisconfrontedwithChrist

therecomesaninnerconvictionthatthisisnoneotherthantheSonofGod.Father
Tyrrellhassaidthattheworldcannevergetawayfromthat"strangemanuponthe
Cross."ThatinnerpowerwhichalwaysbringsoureyesbacktoChristevenwhenwe
wishtoforgethim,thatinnervoicewhichtellsusthatthisJesusisnoneotherthan
theSonofGodandtheSaviouroftheworldisthewitnessofGodwithinoursouls.
(ii)ThereisthewitnessofJesushimself."Ibearwitness,"hesaid,"tomyself"(John
8:18)."EvenifIdobearwitnesstomyself,"hesaid,"mytestimonyistrue"(John
8:14).Whatdoesthismean?ItmeansthatitwaswhatJesuswasthatwashisbest
witness.Heclaimedtobethelightandthelifeandthetruthandtheway.Heclaimed
tobetheSonofGodandonewiththeFather.HeclaimedtobetheSaviourandthe
Masterofallmen.Unlesshislifeandcharacterhadbeenwhattheywere,such
claimswouldhavebeenmerelyshockingandblasphemous.WhatJesuswasin
himselfwasthebestwitnessthathisclaimsweretrue.
(iii)Thereisthewitnessofhisworks.Hesaid:"TheworkswhichtheFatherhas
grantedmetoaccomplish...bearmewitness"(John5:36)."TheworksthatIdoin
myFather'sname,theybearwitnesstome"(John10:25).HetellsPhilipofhis
completeidentitywiththeFather,andthengoesontosay:"Believemeforthesake
oftheworksthemselves"(John14:11).Oneofthecondemnationsofmenisthat
theyhaveseenhisworks,andhavenotbelieved(John15:24).Wemustnoteone
thingwhenJohnspokeoftheworksofJesus,hewasnotspeakingonlyofthe
miraclesofJesushewasthinkingofJesus'wholelife.Hewasthinkingnotonlyof
thegreatoutstandingmoments,butofthelifethatJesuslivedeveryminuteofthe
day.NomancouldhavedonethemightyworksthatJesusdidunlesshewascloser
toGodthananyothermaneverwasbut,equally,nomancouldhavelivedthatlife
ofloveandpity,compassionandforgiveness,serviceandhelpinthelifeofthe
everydayunlesshehadbeeninGodandGodinhim.Itisnotbyworkingmiracles
thatwecanprovethatwebelongtoChrist,butbylivingaChristlikelifeevery
momentofeveryday.Itisintheordinarythingsoflifethatweshowthatwebelong
tohim.
(iv)ThereisthewitnesswhichtheScripturesbeartohim.Jesussaid:"Searchthe
scriptures,becauseyouthinkthatinthemyouhaveeternallifeanditistheythat
bearwitnesstome"(John5:39)."IfyoubelievedMoses,youwouldbelievemefor
hewroteofme"(John5:46).ItisPhilip'sconvictionthathehasfoundhimofwhom
Mosesandthelawandtheprophetswrote(John1:45).Allthroughthehistoryof
IsraelmenhaddreamedofthedaywhenGod'sMessiahwouldcome.Theyhad
drawntheirpicturesandsetdowntheirideasofhim.AndnowinJesusallthese
dreamsandpicturesandhopeswerefinallyandfullyrealized.Heforwhomtheworld
waswaitinghadcome.
(v)Thereisthewitnessofthelastoftheprophets,JohntheBaptist."Hecamefor
testimonytobearwitnesstothelight"(John1:78).Johnborewitnessthathesaw
theSpiritdescendinguponJesus.Theoneinwhomthepropheticwitness
culminatedwastheonewhoborewitnesstoJesustowhomallthepropheticwitness
pointed.
(vi)ThereisthewitnessofthosewithwhomJesuscameintocontact.Thewomanof
SamariaborewitnesstotheinsightandtothepowerofJesus(John4:39).Theman
bornblindborewitnesstohishealingpower(John9:25John9:38).Thepeoplewho
witnessedhismiraclestoldoftheirwonderatthethingshedid(John12:17).Thereis
alegendwhichtellshowtheSanhedrinsoughtforwitnesseswhenJesuswason
trial.Therecameacrowdofpeoplesaying:"Iwasaleperandhehealedme""Iwas
blindandheopenedmyeyes""Iwasdeafandhemademeabletohear."Thatwas
preciselythekindofwitnesstheSanhedrindidnotwant.Ineveryageandinevery
generationtherehavealwaysbeenagreatcrowdreadytobearwitnesstowhat
Christhaddoneforthem.
(vii)Thereisthewitnessofthedisciplesandespeciallyofthewriterofthegospel
himselfItwasJesus'commissiontohisdisciples:"Youalsoarewitnesses,because
youhavebeenwithmefromthebeginning"(John15:27).Thewriterofthegospelis
apersonalwitnessandguarantorofthethingsherelates.Ofthecrucifixionhe
writes:"Hewhosawithasbornewitnesshistestimonyistrue"(John19:35)."This"
hesays,"isthedisciplewhoisbearingwitnesstothesethings,andwhohaswritten
thesethings"(John21:24).Thestoryhetellsisnocarriedstory,nosecondhand

tale,butwhathehadseenandexperiencedhimself.Thebestkindofwitnessofall
istheonewhichcansay:"Thisistrue,becauseIknowitfrommyownexperience."
(viii)ThereisthewitnessoftheHolySpirit."WhentheCounsellorcomes...eventhe
Spiritoftruth...hewillbearwitnesstome"(John15:26).IntheFirstEpistleJohn
writes:"AndtheSpiritisthewitness,becausetheSpiritisthetruth"(1John5:7).To
theJewtheSpirithadtwofunctions.TheSpiritbroughtGod'struthtomen,andthe
Spiritenabledmentorecognizethattruthwhentheysawit.Itistheworkofthe
SpiritwithinourheartswhichenablesustorecognizeJesusforwhatheisandto
trusthimforwhathecando.
JohnwrotehisgospeltopresenttheunanswerablewitnessthatJesusChrististhe
mindofGodfullyrevealedtomen.
TheLightOfEveryMan(John1:9)
1:9Hewasthereallight,who,inhiscomingintotheworld,
giveslighttoeveryman.
InthisverseJohnusesaverysignificantwordtodescribeJesus.Hesaysthat
Jesuswasthereallight.InGreektherearetwowordswhichareverylikeeachother.
TheKingJamesVersionandtheRevisedStandardusethewordtruetotranslate
bothofthembuttheyhavedifferentshadesofmeaning.Thefirstisalethes(Greek
#227).Alethes(Greek#227)meanstrueasopposedtofalseitisthewordthat
wouldbeusedofastatementwhichistrue.Theotherwordisalethinos(Greek
#228).Alethinos(Greek#228)meansrealorgenuineasopposedtounreal.
SowhatJohnissayingisthatJesusisthereallightcometoilluminemen.Before
Jesuscametherewereotherlightswhichmenfollowed.Somewereflickersofthe
truthsomewerefaintglimpsesofrealitysomewerewillo'thewispswhichmen
followedandwhichledthemoutintothedarkandleftthemthere.Itisstillthecase.
Therearestillthepartiallightsandtherearestillthefalselightsandmenstillfollow
them.Jesusistheonlygenuinelight,thereallighttoguidemenontheirway.
JohnsaysthatJesus,byhiscomingintotheworld,broughtthereallighttomen.His
comingwaslikeablazeoflight.Itwaslikethecomingofthedawn.Atravellertells
howonceinItalyhewasstandingonahilloverlookingtheBayofNaples.Itwasso
darkthatnothingcouldbeseenthenanasuddentherecamealightningflashand
everything,ineverydetail,waslitup.WhenJesuscameintothisworldhecamelike
alightinthedark.
(i)Hiscomingdissipatedtheshadowsofdoubt.Untilhecamemencouldonlyguess
aboutGod."ItisdifficulttofindoutaboutGod,"saidoneoftheGreeks,"andwhen
youhavefoundoutabouthimitisimpossibletotellanyoneelseabouthim."Tothe
pagan,Godeitherdweltintheshadowsthatnomancanpenetrateorinthelightthat
nomancanapproach.ButwhenJesuscamemensawfulldisplayedwhatGodis
like.Theshadowsandthemistsweregonethedaysofguessingwereatanend
therewasnomoreneedforawistfulagnosticism.Thelighthadcome.
(ii)Hiscomingdissipatedtheshadowsofdespair.Jesuscametoaworldthatwasin
despair."Men,"asSenecasaid,"areconsciousoftheirhelplessnessinnecessary
things."Theywerelongingforahandletdowntohelpthemup."Theyhatetheirsins
butcannotleavethem."Mendespairedofevermakingthemselvesortheworldany
better.ButwiththecomingofJesusanewpowercameintolife.Hecamenotonly
withknowledgebutwithpower.Hecamenotonlytoshowthemtherightwaybutto
enablethemtowalkinit.Hegavethemnotonlyinstructionbutapresenceinwhich
alltheimpossiblethingshadbecomepossible.Thedarknessofpessimismand
despairwasgoneforever.
(iii)Hiscomingdissipatedthedarknessofdeath.Theancientworldfeareddeath.At
thebest,deathwasannihilationandthesoulofmanshudderedatthethought.Atthe
worst,itwastorturebywhatevergodstherebeandthesoulofmanwasafraid.But
Jesusbyhiscoming,byhislife,hisdeath,hisResurrectionshowedthatdeathwas
onlythewaytoalargerlife.Thedarknesswasdispelled.Stevensonhasascenein
oneofhisstoriesinwhichhedrawsthepictureofayoungmanwhohasalmost
miraculouslyescapedinaduelinwhichhewascertainhewouldbekilled.Ashe

walksawayhisheartissinging:"Thebitternessofdeathispast."BecauseofJesus
thebitternessofdeathispastforeveryman.
Further,Jesusisthelightwholightseverymanwhocomesintotheworld.The
ancientworldwasexclusive.TheJewhatedtheGentileandheldthatGentileswere
createdfornootherpurposethantobefuelforthefiresofhell.True,therewasa
lonelyprophetwhosawthatIsrael'sdestinywastobealighttotheGentiles(Isaiah
42:6Isaiah49:6)butthatwasadestinywhichIsraelhadalwaysdefinitelyrefused.
TheGreekworldneverdreamedthatknowledgewasforeveryman.TheRoman
worldlookeddownonthebarbarians,thelesserbreedswithoutthelaw.ButJesus
cametobealighttoeveryman.OnlytheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist
hasaheartbigenoughtoholdalltheworld.
Unrecognized(John1:1011)
__John1:151__
1:1011Hewasintheworld,and,althoughtheworldcameinto
beingthroughhim,theworlddidnotrecognizehim.Itwasinto
hisownhomethathecame,andhisownpeopledidnot
welcomehim.
WhenJohnwrotethispassagetwothoughtswereinhismind.
(i)HewasthinkingofthetimebeforeJesusChristcameintotheworldinthebody.
FromthebeginningoftimeGod'sLogos(Greek#3056)hasbeenactiveintheworld.
InthebeginningGod'screating,dynamicwordbroughttheworldintobeingandever
sinceitistheword,theLogos(Greek#3056),thereasonofGodwhichhasmadethe
worldanorderedwholeandmanathinkingbeing.Ifmenhadonlyhadthesenseto
seehim,theLogos(Greek#3056)wasalwaysrecognizableintheuniverse.
TheWestminsterConfessionofFaithbeginsbysayingthat"thelightsofnature,and
theworksofcreationandprovidencedosofarmanifestthegoodness,wisdomand
powerofGodastoleavemeninexcusable."LongagoPaulhadsaidthatthevisible
thingsoftheworldweresodesignedbyGodastoleadmen'sthoughtstothe
invisiblethings,andthatifmenhadlookedwithopeneyesandanunderstanding
heartattheworldtheirthoughtswouldhavebeeninevitablyledtothecreatorofthe
world(Romans1:1920).Theworldhasalwaysbeensuchthat,lookedatintheright
way,itwouldleadmen'smindstoGod.
Theologyhasalwaysmadeadistinctionbetweennaturaltheologyandrevealed
theology.RevealedtheologydealswiththetruthsthatcametousdirectlyfromGod
inthewordsoftheprophets,thepagesofhisbook,andsupremelyinJesusChrist.
Naturaltheologydealswiththetruthsthatmancoulddiscoverbytheexerciseofhis
ownmindandintellectontheworldinwhichhelives.How,then,canweseeGod's
word,God'sLogos(Greek#3056),God'sreason,God'smindintheworldinwhichwe
live?
(a)Wemustlookoutwards.ItwasalwaysabasicGreekthoughtthatwherethereis
ordertheremustbeamind.Whenwelookattheworldweseeanamazingorder.
Theplanetskeeptotheirappointedcourses.Thetidesobservetheirappointed
times.Seedtimesandharvest,summerandwinter,dayandnightcomeintheir
appointedorder.Clearlythereisorderinnature,and,therefore,equallyclearlythere
mustbeamindbehinditall.Further,thatmindmustbegreaterthananyhuman
mindbecauseitachievesresultsthatthehumanmindcanneverachieve.Noman
canmakedayintonight,ornightintodaynomancanmakeaseedthatwillhavein
itthepowerofgrowthnomancanmakealivingthing.Ifintheworldthereisorder,
theremustbemindandifinthatordertherearethingswhicharebeyondthemindof
mantodo,thenthemindbehindtheorderofnaturemustbeamindaboveand
beyondthemindofmanandstraightwaywehavereachedGod.Tolookoutwards
upontheworldistocomefacetofacewiththeGodwhomadeit.
(b)Wemustlookupwards.Nothingdemonstratestheamazingorderoftheuniverse
somuchasthemovementoftheworld.Astronomerstellusthatthereareasmany
starsastherearegrainsofsandupontheseashore.Ifwemayputitinhuman
terms,thinkofthetrafficproblemoftheheavensandyettheheavenlybodieskeep

theirappointedcoursesandtraveltheirappointedway.Anastronomerisableto
forecasttotheminuteandtotheinchwhenandwhereacertainplanetwillappear.
Anastronomercantelluswhenandwhereaneclipseofthesunwillhappen
hundredsofyearsfromnow,andhecantenustothesecondhowlongitwilllast.It
hasbeensaidthat"noastronomercanbeanatheist."Whenwelookupwardswe
seeGod.
(c)Wemustlookinwards.Wheredidwegetthepowertothink,toreasonandto
know?Wheredidwegetourknowledgeofrightandofwrong?Whydoeseventhe
mostevilriddenmanknowinhisheartofheartswhenheisdoingawrongthing?
KantsaidlongagothattwothingsconvincedhimoftheexistenceofGodthestarry
heavensabovehimandthemorallawwithinhim.Weneithergaveourselveslife,nor
didwegiveourselvesthereasonwhichguidesanddirectslife.Itmusthavecome
fromsomepoweroutsideourselves.Wheredoremorseandregretandthesenseof
guiltcomefrom?Whycanweneverdowhatwelikeandbeatpeace?Whenwelook
inwardswefindwhatMarcusAureliuscalled"thegodwithin,"andwhatSeneca
called"theholyspiritwhichsitswithinoursouls."Nomancanexplainhimselfapart
fromGod.
(d)Wemustlookbackwards.Froude,thegreathistorian,saidthatthewholeof
historyisademonstrationofthemorallawinaction.Empiresriseandempires
collapse.AsKiplingwrote:
Lo,allourpompofyesterday
IsonewithNinevehandTyre!
Anditisademonstrablefactofhistorythatmoraldegenerationandnationalcollapse
gohandinhand."Nonation,"saidGeorgeBernardShaw,"haseveroutlivedtheloss
ofitsgods."AUhistoryisthepracticaldemonstrationthatthereisaGod.
So,then,evenifJesusChristhadnevercomeintothisworldinbodilyform,itwould
stillhavebeenpossibleformentoseeGod'sword,God'sLogos(Greek#3056),
God'sreasoninaction.But,althoughtheactionofthewordwasthereforalltosee,
menneverrecognizedhim.
Unrecognized(John1:1011Continued)
__John1:151__
1:1011Hewasintheworld,and,althoughtheworldcameinto
beingthroughhim,theworlddidnotrecognizehim.Itwasinto
hisownhomethathecame,andhisownpeopledidnot
welcomehim.
(i)IntheendGod'screatinganddirectingworddidcomeintothisworldintheformof
themanJesus.Johnsaysthatthewordcametohisownhomeandhisownpeople
gavehimnowelcome.Whatdoeshemeanbythat?HemeansthatwhenGod'sword
enteredthisworld,hedidnotcometoRomeortoGreeceortoEgyptortothe
EasternEmpires.HecametoPalestinePalestinewasspeciallyGod'slandandthe
JewswerespeciallyGod'speople.
TheverytitlesbywhichtheOldTestamentcallsthelandandthepeopleshowthat.
Palestineisrepeatedlycalledtheholyland(Zechariah2:122Maccabees1:7
WisdomofSolomon12:3).ItiscalledtheLord'slandGodspeaksofitashisland
(Hosea9:3Jeremiah2:7Jeremiah16:18Leviticus25:23).TheJewishnationis
calledGod'speculiartreasure(Exodus19:5Psalms135:4).TheJewsarecalled
God'sspecialpeople(Deuteronomy7:6).TheyarecalledGod'speculiarpeople
(Deuteronomy14:2Deuteronomy26:18).TheyarecalledtheLord'sportion
(Deuteronomy32:9).
JesuscametoalandwhichwaspeculiarlyGod'slandandapeoplewhowere
peculiarlyGod'speople.Heought,therefore,tohavebeencomingtoanationthat
wouldwelcomehimwithopenarmsthedoorshouldhavebeenwideopenforhim
heshouldhavebeenwelcomedlikeawayfarercominghomeor,evenmore,likea
kingcomingtohisownbuthewasrejectedHewasreceivedwithhateandnotwith

adoration.
Hereisthetragedyofapeoplebeingpreparedforataskandthenrefusingthattask.
Itmaybe,thatparentsplanandsaveandsacrificetogiveasonoradaughtera
chanceinlife,topreparethatsonordaughterforsomespecialtaskandopportunity
andthenwhenthechancecomes,theoneforwhomsomuchsacrificewasmade
refusestograsptheopportunity,orfailsmiserablywhenconfrontedwiththe
challenge.Thereinistragedy.AndthatiswhathappenedtoGod.
ItwouldbewrongtothinkthatGodpreparedonlytheJewishpeople.Godis
preparingeverymanandwomanandchildinthisworldforsometaskthathehasin
storeforthem.Anovelisttellsofagirlwhorefusedtotouchthesoilingthingsoflife.
Whenshewasaskedwhy,shesaid:"Somedaysomethingfineisgoingtocome
intomylife,andIwanttobereadyforit."Thetragedyisthatsomanypeoplerefuse
thetaskGodhasforthem.
Wemayputitinanotherwayawaythatstrikeshometherearesofewpeoplewho
becomewhattheyhaveitinthemtobe.Itmaybethroughlethargyandlaziness,it
maybethroughtimidityandcowardice,itmaybethroughlackofdisciplineandself
indulgence,itmaybethroughinvolvementinsecondbestsandbywaysbutthe
worldisfullofpeoplewhohaveneverrealizedthepossibilitieswhichareinthem.We
neednotthinkofthetaskGodhasinstoreforusintermsofsomegreatactor
achievementofwhichallmenwillknow.Itmaybetofitachildforlifeitmaybeat
somecrucialmomenttospeakthatwordandexertthatinfluencewhichwillstop
someoneruininghislifeitmaybetodosomequitesmalljobsuperlativelywellit
maybetotouchthelivesofmanybyourhands,ourvoicesorourminds.Thefact
remainsthatGodispreparingusbyalltheexperiencesoflifeforsomethingand
manyrefusethetaskwhenitcomesandneverevenrealizethattheyarerefusingit.
Thereisallthepathosintheworldinthesimplesaying:"Hecametohisownhome
andhisownpeoplegavehimnowelcome."IthappenedtoJesuslongagoanditis
happeningyet.
ChildrenOfGod(John1:1213)
1:1213Toallthosewhodidreceivehim,tothosewhobelieve
inhisname,hegavetherighttobecomethechildrenofGod.
Thesewerebornnotofblood,norofanyhumanimpulse,norof
anyman'swill,buttheirbirthwasofGod.
NoteveryonerejectedJesuswhenhecamethereweresomewhodidreceivehim
andwelcomehimandtothemJesusgavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod.
ThereisasenseinwhichamanisnotnaturallyachildofGod.Thereisasensein
whichhehastobecomeachildofGod.Wemaythinkofthisinhumanterms,
becausehumantermsaretheonlyonesopentous.
Therearetwokindsofsons.Thereisthesonwhoneverdoesanythingelsebutuse
hishome.Allthroughhisyouthhetakeseverythingthatthehomehastoofferand
givesnothinginreturn.Hisfathermayworkandsacrificetogivehimhischancein
life,andhetakesitasaright,neverrealizingwhatheistakingandmakingnoeffort
todeserveitorrepayit.Whenheleaveshome,hemakesnoattempttokeepin
touch.Thehomehasservedhispurposeandheisfinishedwithit.Herealizesno
bondtobemaintainedandnodebttobepaid.Heishisfather'ssontohisfatherhe
oweshisexistenceandtohisfatherheoweswhatheisbutbetweenhimandhis
fatherthereisnobondofloveandintimacy.Thefatherhasgivenallinlovebutthe
sonhasgivennothinginreturn.
Ontheotherhandthereisthesonwhoallhisliferealizeswhathisfatherisdoing
andhasdoneforhim.Hetakeseveryopportunitytoshowhisgratitudebytryingto
bethesonhisfatherwouldwishhimtobeastheyearsgoonhegrowscloserand
closertohisfathertherelationshipoffatherandsonbecomestherelationshipof
fellowshipandfriendship.Evenwhenheleaveshomethebondisstillthereandheis
stillconsciousofadebtthatcanneverberepaid.
Intheonecasethesongrowsfurtherandfurtherawayfromthefatherintheother

hegrowsnearerandnearerthefather.Botharesons,butthesonshipisvery
different.Thesecondhasbecomeasoninawaythatthefirstneverwas.
Wemayillustratethiskindofrelationshipfromanother,butakindred,sphere.The
nameofacertainyoungermanwasmentionedtoafamousteacher,whosestudent
theyoungermanclaimedtobe.Theoldermananswered:"Hemayhaveattended
mylectures,buthewasnotoneofmystudents."Thereisaworldofdifference
betweensittinginateacher'sclassroomandbeingoneofhisstudents.Therecan
becontactwithoutcommuniontherecanberelationshipwithoutfellowship.Allmen
arethesonsofGodinthesensethattheyowetohimthecreationandthe
preservationoftheirlivesbutonlysomemenbecomethesonsofGodinthedepth
andintimacyofthetruefatherandsonrelationship.
ItistheclaimofJohnthatmencanenterintothattrueandrealsonshiponlythrough
JesusChrist.Whenhesaysthatitdoesnotcomefromblood,heisusingJewish
thought,fortheJewsbelievedthataphysicalsonwasbornfromtheunionofthe
seedofthefatherwiththebloodofthemother.Thissonshipdoesnotcomefrom
anyhumanimpulseordesireorfromanyactofthehumanwillitcomesentirely
fromGod.WecannotmakeourselvessonsofGodwehavetoenterintoa
relationshipwhichGodoffersus.NomancaneverenterintofriendshipwithGodby
hisownwillandpowerthereisagreatgulffixedbetweenthehumanandthedivine.
MancanonlyenterintofriendshipwithGodwhenGodhimselfopenstheway.
Againletusthinkinhumanterms.Acommonercannotapproachakingwiththe
offeroffriendshipifthereisevertobesuchafriendshipitmustdependentirelyon
theapproachoftheking.ItissowithusandGod.Wecannotbywillorachievement
enterintofellowshipwithGod,forwearemenandheisGod.Wecanenterintoit
onlywhenGodinhistotallyundeservedgracecondescendstoopenthewayto
himself.
Butthereisahumansidetothis.WhatGodoffers,manhastoappropriate.Ahuman
fathermayofferhissonhislove,hisadvice,hisfriendship,andthesonmayrefuse
itandprefertotakehisownway.ItissowithGodGodoffersustherightto
becomesonsbutweneednotacceptit.
WedoacceptitthroughbelievinginthenameofJesusChrist.Whatdoesthat
mean?Hebrewthoughtandlanguagehadawayofusingthenamewhichisstrange
tous.BythatexpressionJewishthoughtdidnotsomuchmeanthenamebywhich
apersonwascalledashisnatureinsofarasitwasrevealedandknown.For
instance,inPsalms9:10thepsalmistsays:"Thosewhoknowthynameputtheir
trustinthee."ClearlythatdoesnotmeanthatthosewhoknowthatGodiscalled
JehovahwilltrusthimitmeansthatthosewhoknowGod'scharacter,God'snature,
whoknowwhatGodislike,willbereadyandwillingtotrusthimforeverything.In
Psalms20:7thepsalmistsays:"Someboastofchariotsandsomeofhorses:butwe
boastofthenameoftheLordourGod."Clearlythatdoesnotmeanthatwewill
boastthatGodiscanedJehovah.Itmeansthatsomepeoplewillputtheirtrustin
humanaids,butwewillputourtrustinGodbecauseweknowwhatheislike.
TotrustinthenameofJesusthereforemeanstoputourtrustinwhatheis.Hewas
theembodimentofkindnessandloveandgentlenessandservice.ItisJohn'sgreat
centraldoctrinethatinJesusweseetheverymindofGod,theattitudeofGodto
men.Ifwebelievethat,thenwealsobelievethatGodislikeJesus,askind,as
lovingasJesuswas.TobelieveinthenameofJesusistobelievethatGodislike
himanditisonlywhenwebelievethat,thatwecansubmitourselvestoGodand
becomehischildren.UnlesswehadseeninJesuswhatGodislikewewouldnever
evenhavedaredtothinkofourselvesasbeingabletobecomethechildrenofGod.
ItiswhatJesusisthatopenstousthepossibilityofbecomingthechildrenofGod.
TheWordBecameFlesh(John1:14)
1:14SotheWordofGodbecameaperson,andtookuphis
abodeinourbeing,fullofgraceandtruthandwelookedwith
ourowneyesuponhisglory,gloryliketheglorywhichanonly
sonreceivesfromafather.
HerewecometothesentenceforthesakeofwhichJohnwrotehisgospel.Hehas

thoughtandtalkedaboutthewordofGod,thatpowerful,creative,dynamicword
whichwastheagentofcreation,thatguiding,directing,controllingwordwhichputs
orderintotheuniverseandmindintoman.Thesewereideaswhichwereknownand
familiartobothJewandGreek.Nowhesaysthemoststartlingandincrediblething
thathecouldhavesaid.Hesaysquitesimply:"Thiswordwhichcreatedtheworld,
thisreasonwhichcontrolstheorderoftheworld,hasbecomeapersonandwithour
owneyeswesawhim."ThewordthatJohnusesforseeingthiswordistheasthai
(Greek#2300)itisusedintheNewTestamentmorethantwentytimesandis
alwaysusedofactualphysicalsight.Thisisnospiritualvisionseenwiththeeyeof
thesoulorofthemind.Johndeclaresthatthewordactuallycametoearthinthe
formofamanandwasseenbyhumaneyes.Hesays:"Ifyouwanttoseewhatthis
creatingword,thiscontrollingreason,islike,lookatJesusofNazareth."
ThisiswhereJohnpartedwithallthoughtwhichhadgonebeforehim.Thiswasthe
entirelynewthingwhichJohnbroughttotheGreekworldforwhichhewaswriting.
AugustineafterwardssaidthatinhispreChristiandayshehadreadandstudiedthe
greatpaganphilosophersandhadreadmanythings,buthehadneverreadthatthe
wordbecameflesh.
ToaGreekthiswastheimpossiblething.TheonethingthatnoGreekwouldever
havedreamedofwasthatGodcouldtakeabody.TotheGreekthebodywasan
evil,aprisonhouseinwhichthesoulwasshackled,atombinwhichthespiritwas
confined.Plutarch,thewiseoldGreek,didnotevenbelievethatGodcouldcontrol
thehappeningsofthisworlddirectlyhehadtodoitbydeputiesandintermediaries,
for,asPlutarchsawit,itwasnothinglessthanblasphemytoinvolveGodinthe
affairsoftheworld.Philocouldneverhavesaidit.Hesaid:"ThelifeofGodhasnot
descendedtousnorhasitcomeasfarasthenecessitiesofthebody."Thegreat
RomanStoicEmperor,MarcusAurelius,despisedthebodyincomparisonwiththe
spirit."Thereforedespisethefleshbloodandbonesandanetwork,atwistedskein
ofnervesandveinsandarteries.""Thecompositionofthewholebodyisunder
corruption."
HerewastheshatteringlynewthingthatGodcouldandwouldbecomeahuman
person,thatGodcouldenterintothislifethatwelive,thateternitycouldappearin
time,thatsomehowtheCreatorcouldappearincreationinsuchawaythatmen's
eyescouldactuallyseehim.
SostaggeringlynewwasthisconceptionofGodinahumanformthatitisnot
surprisingthatthereweresomeeveninthechurchwhocouldnotbelieveit.What
Johnsaysisthatthewordbecamesarx(Greek#4561).Nowsarx(Greek#4561)is
theverywordPaulusesoverandoveragaintodescribewhathecalledtheflesh,
humannatureinallitsweaknessandinallitsliabilitytosin.Theverythoughtof
takingthiswordandapplyingittoGod,wassomethingthattheirmindsstaggeredat.
SotherearoseinthechurchabodyofpeoplecalledDocetists.
Dokein(Greek#1380)istheGreekwordfortoseemtobe.Thesepeopleheldthat
Jesusinfactwasonlyaphantomthathishumanbodywasnotarealbodythathe
couldnotreallyfeelhungerandweariness,sorrowandpainthathewasinfacta
disembodiedspiritintheapparentformofaman.Johndealtwiththesepeoplemuch
moredirectlyinhisFirstLetter."BythisyouknowtheSpiritofGod:everyspirit
whichconfessesthatJesusChristhascomeinthefleshisofGod,andeveryspirit
whichdoesnotconfessJesusisnotofGod.ThisisthespiritofAntichrist"(1John
4:23).Itistruethatthisheresywasbornofakindofmistakenreverencewhich
recoiledfromsayingthatJesuswasreally,fullyandtrulyhuman.ToJohnit
contradictedthewholeChristiangospel.
ItmaywellbethatweareoftensoeagertoconservethefactthatJesuswasfully
Godthatwetendtoforgetthefactthathewasfullyman.Thewordbecameflesh
here,perhapsasnowhereelseintheNewTestament,wehavethefullmanhoodof
Jesusgloriouslyproclaimed.InJesusweseethecreatingwordofGod,the
controllingreasonofGod,takingmanhooduponhimselfInJesusweseeGodliving
lifeashewouldhaveliveditifhehadbeenaman.Supposingwesaidnothingelse
aboutJesuswecouldstillsaythatheshowsushowGodwouldlivethislifethatwe
havetolive.
TheWordBecameFlesh(John1:14Continued)

1:14SotheWordofGodbecameaperson,andtookuphis
abodeinourbeing,fullofgraceandtruthandwelookedwith
ourowneyesuponhisglory,gloryliketheglorywhichanonly
sonreceivesfromafather.
ItmightwellbeheldthatthisisthegreatestsingleverseintheNewTestamentwe
mustthereforespendmuchtimeuponitsothatwemayenterthemorefullyintoits
riches.
WehavealreadyseenhowJohnhascertaingreatwordswhichhaunthismindand
dominatehisthoughtandwearethethemesoutofwhichhiswholemessageis
elaborated.Herewehavethreemoreofthesewords.
(i)Thefirstisgrace.Thiswordhasalwaystwobasicideasinit.
(a)Italwayshastheideaofsomethingcompletelyundeserved.Italwayshasthe
ideaofsomethingthatwecouldneverhaveearnedorachievedforourselves.The
factthatGodcametoearthtoliveandtodieformenisnotsomethingwhich
humanitydeserveditisanactofpureloveonthepartofGod.Thewordgrace
emphasizesatoneandthesametimethehelplesspovertyofmanandthelimitless
kindnessofGod.
(b)Italwayshastheideaofbeautyinit.InmodernGreekthewordmeanscharm.In
JesusweseethesheerwinsomenessofGod.MenhadthoughtofGodintermsof
mightandmajestyandpowerandjudgment.TheyhadthoughtofthepowerofGod
whichcouldcrushalloppositionanddefeatallrebellionbutinJesusmenare
confrontedwiththesheerlovelinessofGod.
(ii)Thesecondistruth.ThiswordisoneofthedominantnotesoftheFourthGospel.
Wemeetitagainandagain.HerewecanonlybrieflygathertogetherwhatJohnhas
tosayaboutJesusandthetruth.
(a)Jesusistheembodimentofthetruth.Hesaid:"Iamthetruth"(John14:6).To
seetruthwemustlookatJesus.Hereissomethinginfinitelypreciousforevery
simplemindandsoul.Veryfewpeoplecangraspabstractideasmostpeoplethink
inpictures.Wecouldthinkandargueforeverandwewouldverylikelybenonearer
arrivingatadefinitionofbeauty.Butifwecanpointatabeautifulpersonandsay
thatisbeauty,thethingbecomesclear.EversincemenbegantothinkaboutGod
theyhavebeentryingtodefinejustwhoandwhatheisandtheirpunymindsgetno
neareradefinition.ButwecanceaseourthinkingandlookatJesusChristandsay:
"ThatiswhatGodislike."JesusdidnotcometotalktomenaboutGodhecameto
showmenwhatGodislike,sothatthesimplestmindmightknowhimasintimately
asthemindofthegreatestphilosopher.
(b)Jesusisthecommunicatorofthetruth.Hetoldhisdisciplesthatifthey
continuedwithhimtheywouldknowthetruth(John8:31).HetoldPilatethathis
objectincomingintothisworldwastowitnesstothetruth(John18:37).Menwill
flocktoateacherorpreacherwhocanreallygivethemguidanceforthetangled
businessofthinkingandliving.Jesusistheonewho,amidsttheshadows,makes
thingsclearwho,atthemanycrossroadsoflife,showsustherightwaywho,inthe
bafflingmomentsofdecision,enablesustochoosearightwho,amidstthemany
voiceswhichclamourforourallegiance,tellsuswhattobelieve.
(c)EvenwhenJesusleftthisearthinthebody,heleftushisSpirittoguideusinto
thetruth.HisSpiritistheSpiritoftruth(John14:17John15:26John16:13).Hedid
notleaveusonlyabookofinstructionandabodyofteaching.Wedonotneedto
searchthroughsomeunintelligibletextbooktofindoutwhattodo.Still,tothisday,
wecanaskJesuswhattodo,forhisSpiritiswithuseverystepoftheway.
(d)Thetruthiswhatmakesusfree(John8:32).Thereisalwaysacertainliberating
qualityinthetruth.Achildoftengetsqueer,mistakennotionsaboutthingswhenhe
thinksaboutthemhimselfandoftenhebecomesafraid.Whenheistoldthetruthhe
isemancipatedfromhisfears.Amanmayfearthatheisillhegoestothedoctor
eveniftheverdictisbadheisatleastliberatedfromthevaguefearswhichhaunted
hismind.ThetruthwhichJesusbringsliberatesusfromestrangementfromGodit
liberatesusfromfrustrationitliberatesusfromourfearsandweaknessesand

defeats.JesusChrististhegreatestliberatoronearth.
(e)Thetruthcanberesented.TheysoughttokillJesusbecausehetoldthemthe
truth(John8:40).Thetruthmaywellcondemnamanitmaywellshowhimhowfar
wronghewas."Truth,"saidtheCynics,"canbelikethelighttosoreeyes."The
Cynicsdeclaredthattheteacherwhoneverannoyedanyoneneverdidanyoneany
good.Menmayshuttheirearsandtheirmindstothetruththeymaykilltheman
whotensthemthetruthbutthetruthremains.Nomaneverdestroyedthetruthby
refusingtolistentothevoicethattoldittohimandthetruthwillalwayscatchup
withhimintheend.
(f)Thetruthcanbedisbelieved(John8:45).Therearetwomainreasonswhymen
disbelievethetruth.Theymaydisbelieveitbecauseitseemstoogoodtobetrueor
theymaydisbelieveitbecausetheyaresofastenedtotheirhalftruthsthattheywill
notletthemgo.Inmanyinstancesahalftruthistheworstenemyofawholetruth.
(g)Thetruthisnotsomethingabstractitissomethingwhichmustbedone(John
3:21).Itissomethingwhichmustbeknownwiththemind,acceptedwiththeheart,
andactedoutinthelife.
TheWordBecameFlesh(John1:14Continued)
1:14SotheWordofGodbecameaperson,andtookuphis
abodeinourbeing,fullofgraceandtruthandwelookedwith
ourowneyesuponhisglory,gloryliketheglorywhichanonly
sonreceivesfromafather.
Alifetimeofstudyandthoughtcouldnotexhaustthetruthofthisverse.Wehave
alreadylookedattwoofthegreatthemewordsinitnowwelookatthethirdglory.
AgainandagainJohnusesthiswordinconnectionwithJesusChrist.Weshallfirst
lookatwhatJohnsaysaboutthegloryofChrist,andthenweshallgoontoseeifwe
canunderstandalittleofwhathemeans.
(i)ThelifeofJesusChristwasamanifestationofglory.Whenheperformedthe
miracleofthewaterandthewineatCanaofGalilee,Johnsaysthathemanifested
forthhisglory(John2:11).TolookatJesusandtoexperiencehispowerandlove
wastoenterintoanewglory.
(ii)TheglorywhichhemanifestsisthegloryofGod.Itisnotfrommenthathe
receivesit(John5:41).Heseeksnothisownglorybutthegloryofhimwhosenthim
(John7:18).ItishisFatherwhoglorifieshim(John8:50John8:54).Itisthegloryof
GodthatMarthawillseeintheraisingofLazarus(John11:4).TheraisingofLazarus
isforthegloryofGod,thattheSonmaybeglorifiedthereby(John11:4).Theglory
thatwasonJesus,thatclungabouthim,thatshonethroughhim,thatactedinhimis
thegloryofGod.
(iii)Yetthatglorywasuniquelyhisown.AttheendhepraysthatGodwillglorifyhim
withtheglorythathehadbeforetheworldbegan(John17:5).Heshineswithno
borrowedradiancehisgloryishisandhisbyright.
(iv)Theglorywhichishishehastransmittedtohisdisciples.TheglorywhichGod
gavehimhehasgiventothem(John17:22).ItisasifJesussharedinthegloryof
GodandthedisciplesharesinthegloryofChrist.ThecomingofJesusisthe
comingofGod'sgloryamongmen.
WhatdoesJohnmeanbyallthis?ToanswerthatwemustturntotheOld
Testament.TotheJewtheideaoftheShechinahwasverydear.TheShechinah
(compareHebrew#7931)meansthatwhichdwellsanditisthewordusedforthe
visiblepresenceofGodamongmen.RepeatedlyintheOldTestamentwecome
acrosstheideathattherewerecertaintimeswhenGod'sglorywasvisibleamong
men.Inthedesert,beforethegivingofthemanna,thechildrenofIsrael"looked
towardthewilderness,and,behold,thegloryoftheLordappearedinthecloud"
(Exodus16:10).BeforethegivingoftheTenCommandments,"thegloryoftheLord
settleduponMountSinai"(Exodus24:16).WhentheTabernaclehadbeenerected
andequipped,"thegloryoftheLordfilledthetabernacle"(Exodus40:34).When
Solomon'sTemplewasdedicatedthepriestscouldnotenterintominister"forthe

gloryoftheLordfilledthehouseoftheLord"(1Kings8:11).WhenIsaiahhadhis
visionintheTemple,heheardtheangelicchoirsingingthat"thewholeearthisfullof
hisglory"(Isaiah6:3).Ezekielinhisecstasysaw"thelikenessofthegloryofthe
Lord"(Ezekiel1:28).IntheOldTestamentthegloryoftheLordcameattimeswhen
Godwasveryclose.
ThegloryoftheLordmeansquitesimplythepresenceofGod.Johnusesahomely
illustration.Afathergivestohiseldestsonhisownauthority,hisownhonour.The
heirapparenttothethrone,theking'sheir,isinvestedwithalltheroyalgloryofhis
father.ItwassowithJesus.Whenhecametothisearthmensawinhimthe
splendourofGod,andattheheartofthatsplendourwaslove.WhenJesuscameto
thisearthmensawthewonderofGod,andthewonderwaslove.Theysawthat
God'sgloryandGod'slovewereoneandthesamething.ThegloryofGodisnotthat
ofadespoticeasterntyrant,butthesplendouroflovebeforewhichwefallnotin
abjectterrorbutlostinwonder,loveandpraise.
TheInexhaustibleFullness(John1:1517)
1:1517Johnwashiswitnessandhisstatementstillsounds
out:"ThisisheofwhomIsaidtoyou,hewhocomesafterme
hasbeenadvancedbeforeme,becausehewasbeforeme."On
hisfullnessweallofushavedrawn,andfromhimwehave
receivedgraceupongrace,foritwasthelawwhichwasgiven
byMoses,butgraceandtruthcamethroughJesusChrist.
WehavealreadyseenthattheFourthGospelwaswritteninasituationwhereitwas
necessarytomakesurethatJohntheBaptistdidnotoccupyanexaggerated
positioninmen'sthoughts.SoJohnbeginsthispassagewithasayingofJohnthe
BaptistwhichgivestoJesusthefirstplace.
JohntheBaptistsaysofJesus:"Hewhocomesaftermewasbeforeme."Hemay
meanmorethanonethingbythat.(a)Jesuswasactuallysixmonthsyoungerinage
thanJohn,andJohnmaybesayingquitesimply:"Hewhoismyjuniorhasbeen
advancedbeyondme."(b)Johnmaybesaying:"IwasinthefieldbeforeJesusI
occupiedthecentreofthestagebeforehedidmyhandwaslaidtoworkbeforehis
wasbutallthatIwasdoingwastopreparethewayforhiscomingIwasonlythe
advanceguardofthemainforceandtheheraldoftheking."(c)ItmaybethatJohn
isthinkingintermsmuchmoredeepthanthat.Hemaybethinkingnotintermsof
timebutofeternity.HemaybethinkingofJesusastheonewhoexistedbeforethe
worldbegan,andbesidewhomanyhumanfigurehasnostandingatall.Itmaybe
thatallthreeideasareinJohn'smind.Itwasnothewhohadexaggeratedhisown
positionthatwasthemistakethatsomeofhisfollowershadmade.ToJohnthe
topmostplacebelongedtoJesus.
ThispassagethengoesontosaythreegreatthingsaboutJesus.
(i)Onhisfullnessweallhavedrawn.ThewordthatJohnusesforfullnessisagreat
worditispleroma(Greek#4138),anditmeansthesumtotalofallthatisinGod.It
isawordwhichPaulusesoften.InColossians1:19hesaysthatallpleroma(Greek
#4138)dweltinChrist.InColossians2:9hesaysinChristtheredweltthepleroma
(Greek#4138)ofdeityinabodilyform.HemeantthatinJesustheredweltthe
totalityofthewisdom,thepower,theloveofGod.JustbecauseofthatJesusis
inexhaustible.AmancangotoJesuswithanyneedandfindthatneedsupplied.A
mancangotoJesuswithanyidealandfindthatidealrealized.InJesusthemanin
lovewithbeautywillfindthesupremebeauty.InJesusthemantowhomlifeisthe
searchforknowledgewillfindthesupremerevelation.InJesusthemanwhoneeds
couragewillfindthepatternandthesecretofbeingbrave.InJesusthemanwho
feelsthathecannotcopewithlifewillfindtheMasteroflifeandthepowertolive.In
Jesusthemanwhoisconsciousofhissinwillfindtheforgivenessforhissinand
thestrengthtobegood.InJesusthepleroma(Greek#4138),thefullnessofGod,all
thatisinGod,whatWestcottcalled"thespringofdivinelife,"becomesavailableto
men.
(ii)Fromhimwehavereceivedgraceupongrace.LiterallytheGreekmeansgrace
insteadofgrace.Whatdoesthatstrangephrasemean?

(a)ItmaymeanthatinChristwehavefoundonewonderleadingtoanother.Oneof
theoldmissionariescametooneoftheancientPictishkings.Thekingaskedhim
whathemightexpectifhebecameaChristian.Themissionaryanswered:"Youwill
findwonderuponwonderandeveryoneofthemtrue."Sometimeswhenwetravela
verylovelyroad,vistaaftervistaopenstous.Ateveryviewwethinkthatnothing
couldbelovelier,andthenweturnanothercornerandanevengreaterloveliness
opensbeforeus.Whenamanentersonthestudyofsomegreatsubject,likemusic
orpoetryorart,henevergetstotheendofit.Alwaystherearefreshexperiencesof
beautywaitingforhim.ItissowithChrist.Themoreweknowofhim,themore
wonderfulhebecomes.Thelongerwelivewithhim,themorelovelinesswediscover.
Themorewethinkabouthimandwithhim,thewiderthehorizonoftruthbecomes.
ThisphrasemaybeJohn'swayofexpressingthelimitlessnessofChrist.Itmaybe
hiswayofsayingthatthemanwhocompanieswithChristwillfindnewwonders
dawninguponhissoulandenlighteninghismindandenchaininghishearteveryday.
(b)Itmaybethatweoughttotakethisexpressionquiteliterally.InChristwefind
graceinsteadofgrace.Thedifferentagesandthedifferentsituationsinlifedemand
adifferentkindofgrace.Weneedonegraceinthedaysofprosperityandanotherin
thedaysofadversity.Weneedonegraceinthesunlitdaysofyouthandanother
whentheshadowsofagebegintolengthen.Thechurchneedsonegraceinthedays
ofpersecutionandanotherwhenthedaysofacceptancehavecome.Weneedone
gracewhenwefeelthatweareonthetopofthingsandanotherwhenweare
depressedanddiscouragedandneartodespair.Weneedonegracetobearourown
burdensandanothertobearoneanother'sburdens.Weneedonegracewhenweare
sureofthingsandanotherwhenthereseemsnothingcertainleftintheworld.The
graceofGodisneverastaticbutalwaysadynamicthing.Itneverfadstomeetthe
situation.Oneneedinvadeslifeandonegracecomeswithit.Thatneedpassesand
anotherneedassaultsusandwithitanothergracecomes.Allthroughlifeweare
constantlyreceivinggraceinsteadofgrace,forthegraceofChrististriumphantly
adequatetodealwithanysituation.
(iii)ThelawwasgivenbyMoses,butgraceandtruthcamethroughJesusChrist.In
theoldway,lifewasgovernedbylaw.Amanhadtodoathingwhetherhelikeditor
not,andwhetherheknewthereasonforitornotbutwiththecomingofJesusweno
longerseektoobeythelawofGodlikeslavesweseektoanswertheloveofGod
likesons.ItisthroughJesusChristthatGodthelawgiverhasbecomeGodthe
Father,thatGodthejudgehasbecomeGodtheloverofthesoulsofmen.
TheRevelationOfGod(John1:18)
1:18NoonehaseverseenGod.Itistheuniqueone,hewhois
God,hewhoisinthebosomoftheFather,whohastoldusall
aboutGod.
WhenJohnsaidthatnomanhaseverseenGod,everyoneintheancientworld
wouldfullyagreewithhim.Menwerefascinatedanddepressedandfrustratedby
whattheyregardedastheinfinitedistanceandtheutterunknowabilityofGod.Inthe
OldTestamentGodisrepresentedassayingtoMoses:"Youcannotseemyface
formanshallnotseemeandlive"(Exodus33:20).WhenGodremindsthepeopleof
thegivingofthelaw,hesays:"Youheardthesoundofwords,butsawnoform
therewasonlyavoice"(Deuteronomy4:12).NooneintheOldTestamentthoughtit
possibletoseeGod.ThegreatGreekthinkersfeltexactlythesame.Xenophanes
said:"Guessworkisoverall."Platosaid:"NevermanandGodcanmeet."Celsus
laughedatthewaythattheChristianscalledGodFather,because"Godisaway
beyondeverything."Atthebest,Apuleiussaid,mencouldcatchaglimpseofGod
asalightningflashlightsupadarknightonesplitsecondofillumination,andthen
thedark.AsGloversaid:"WhateverGodwas,hewasfarfrombeingwithinthereach
ofordinarymen."Theremightbeveryraremomentsofecstasywhenmencaughta
glimpseofwhattheycalled"AbsoluteBeing,"butordinarymenweretheprisonersof
ignoranceandfancy.TherewouldbenonetodisagreewithJohnwhenhesaidthat
nomanhaseverseenGod.
ButJohndoesnotstoptherehegoesontomakethestartlingandtremendous
statementthatJesushasfullyrevealedtomenwhatGodislike.Whathascometo
meniswhatJ.H.Bernardcalls"theexhibitiontotheworldofGodinChrist."Here
againthekeynoteofJohn'sgospelsounds:"IfyouwanttoseewhatGodislike,look

atJesus."
WhyshoulditbethatJesuscandowhatnooneelsehaseverdone?Whereinlies
hispowertorevealGodtomen?Johnsaysthreethingsabouthim.
(i)Jesusisunique.TheGreekwordismonogenes(Greek#3439),whichtheKing
JamesVersiontranslatesonlybegotten.Itistruethatthatiswhatmonogenes
(Greek#3439)literallymeansbutlongbeforethisithadlostitspurelyphysical
sense,andhadcometohavetwospecialmeanings.Ithadcometomeanunique
andspeciallybeloved.Obviouslyanonlysonhasauniqueplaceandauniquelove
inhisfather'sheart.Sothiswordcametoexpressuniquenessmorethananything
else.ItistheconvictionoftheNewTestamentthatthereisnoonelikeJesus.He
alonecanbringGodtomenandbringmentoGod.
(ii)JesusisGod.Herewehavetheverysameformofexpressionaswehadinthe
firstverseofthechapter.ThisdoesnotmeanthatJesusisidenticalwithGodit
doesmeanthatinmindandcharacterandbeingheisonewithGod.Inthiscaseit
mightbebetterifwethoughtofitasmeaningthatJesusisdivine.Toseehimisto
seewhatGodis.
(iii)JesusisinthebosomoftheFather.Tobeinthebosomofsomeoneisthe
Hebrewphrasewhichexpressesthedeepestintimacypossibleinhumanlife.Itis
usedofmotherandchilditisusedofhusbandandwifeamanspeaksofthewifeof
hisbosom(Numbers11:12Deuteronomy13:6)itisusedoftwofriendswhoarein
completecommunionwithoneanother.WhenJohnusesthisphraseaboutJesus,he
meansthatbetweenJesusandGodthereiscompleteanduninterruptedintimacy.It
isbecauseJesusissointimatewithGod,thatheisonewithGodandcanreveal
himtomen.
InJesusChristthedistant,unknowable,invisible,unreachableGodhascometo
menandGodcanneverbeastrangertousagain.
THEWITNESSOFJOHN(John1:1928)
1:1928ThisisthewitnessofJohn,whentheJewssentpriests
andLevitestohimfromJerusalemtoaskhim:"Whoareyou?"
Hequitedefinitelyaffirmedandstated:"IamnottheMessiah."
Sotheyaskedhim:"Whatthenarewetothink?Areyou
Elijah?"Hesaid:"Iamnot.....Areyouthepromisedprophet?"
Heanswered:"No."Sotheysaidtohim:"Whoareyou?Tellus,
sothatwecangiveananswertothosewhosentus.What
claimdoyoumakeforyourself."Hesaid:"Iamthevoiceofone
cryinginthewilderness,'MaketheLord'sroadstraight,'as
Isaiahtheprophetsaid."Nowtheyhadbeensentbythe
Pharisees.Sotheyaskedhimandsaidtohim:"Ifyouare
neithertheMessiah,norElijah,northepromisedprophet,why
thendoyoubaptize?"Johnanswered:"Ibaptizewithwater.But
thereisonestandingamongyou,whomyoudonotknow,I
meantheonewhoiscomingafterme,thestrapsofwhose
sandalsIamnotworthytounloose."Thesethingshappenedat
Bethany,onthefarsideofJordan,whereJohnwasbaptizing.
WiththispassageJohnbeginsthenarrativepartofhisgospel.Intheprologuehe
hasshownwhatheintendstodoheiswritinghisgospeltodemonstratethatJesus
istheMind,theReason,theWordofGodcomeintothisworldintheformofa
humanperson.Havingsetdownhiscentralthought,henowbeginsthestoryofthe
lifeofJesus.
NooneissocarefulofdetailsoftimeasJohnis.Startingfromthispassageand
goingontoJohn2:11hetellsstepbystepthestoryofthefirstmomentousweekin
thepubliclifeofJesus.TheeventsofthefirstdayareinJohn1:1928thestoryof
theseconddayisJohn1:2934thethirddayisunfoldedinJohn1:3539.Thethree
versesJohn1:4042tellthestoryofthefourthday.Theeventsofthefifthdayare
toldinJohn1:4351.Thesixthdayisleftablank.Andtheeventsofthelastdayof
theweekaretoldinJohn2:111.

InthissamesectionfromJohn1:19toJohn2:11theFourthGospelgivesusthree
differentkindsofwitnesstothegreatnessandtheuniquenessofJesus.(i)Thereis
thewitnessofJohntheBaptist(John1:1934).(ii)Thereisthewitnessofthosewho
acceptedJesusastheirMaster,andwhobecamehisdisciples(John1:4151).(iii)
ThereisthewitnessofJesus'ownwonderfulpowers(John2:111).Johnissetting
Jesusbeforeusinthreedifferentcontexts,andineachshowingushissupreme
wonder.
WehavealreadyseenthattheFourthGospelhadtotakeaccountofasituationin
whichJohntheBaptistwasgivenapositionfarhigherthanhehimselfhadclaimed.
AslateasA.D.250theClementineRecognitionstellusthat"thereweresomeof
John'sdiscipleswhopreachedabouthimasiftheirmasterwastheMessiah."Inthis
passageweseethatthatwasaviewthatJohntheBaptisthimselfwouldhave
definitelyrepudiated.
Letusnowturntothepassageitself.Rightatthebeginningwecomeupona
characteristicoftheFourthGospel.ItisemissariesoftheJewswhocometocross
examineJohn.ThewordJews(Ioudaioi,Greek#2453)occursinthisgospelnofewer
thanseventytimesandalwaystheJewsaretheopposition.Theyarethepeople
whohavesetthemselvesagainstJesus.ThementionoftheJewsbringsthe
oppositionthusearlyuponthestage.TheFourthGospelistwothings.First,aswe
haveseen,itistheexhibitionofGodinJesusChrist.But,second,itisequallythe
storyoftherejectionofJesusChristbytheJews,thestoryofGod'sofferandman's
refusal,thestoryofGod'sloveandman'ssin,thestoryofJesusChrist'sinvitation
andman'srejection.TheFourthGospelisthegospelinwhichloveandwarningare
uniquelyandvividlycombined.
ThedeputationwhichcametointerviewJohnwascomposedoftwokindsofpeople.
First,therewerethepriestsandtheLevites.Theirinterestwasverynatural,forJohn
wasthesonofZacharias,andZachariaswasapriest(Luke1:5).InJudaismthe
onlyqualificationforthepriesthoodwasdescent.Ifamanwasnotadescendantof
AaronnothingcouldmakehimapriestifhewasadescendantofAaronnothing
couldstophimbeingone.Therefore,intheeyesoftheauthoritiesJohntheBaptist
wasinfactapriestanditwasverynaturalthatthepriestsshouldcometofindout
whyhewasbehavinginsuchanunusualway.Second,therewereemissariesofthe
Pharisees.ItmaywellbethatbehindthemwastheSanhedrin.Oneofthefunctions
oftheSanhedrinwastodealwithanymanwhowassuspectedofbeingafalse
prophet.Johnwasapreachertowhomthepeoplewereflockinginhordes.The
Sanhedrinmaywellhavefeltittheirdutytocheckuponthismanincasehewasa
falseprophet.
Thewholethingshowshowsuspiciousorthodoxywasofanythingunusual.Johndid
notconformtothenormalideaofapriestandhedidnotconformtothenormalidea
ofapreacherthereforetheecclesiasticalauthoritiesofthedaylookeduponhim
askance.Thechurchalwaysrunsthedangerofcondemninganewwayjustbecause
itisnew.Inonesensethereishardlyanyinstitutionintheworldwhichresents
changesomuchasthechurchdoes.Ithasoftenrejectedagreatteacherandoften
refusedsomegreatadventuresimplybecauseitsuspectedallthingsnew.
THEWITNESSOFJOHN(John1:1928continued)
TheemissariesoftheorthodoxcouldthinkofthreethingsthatJohnmightclaimto
be.
(i)TheyaskedhimifhewastheMessiah.TheJewswerewaiting,andarewaitingto
thisday,fortheMessiah.TherewasnooneideaoftheMessiah.Somepeople
expectedonewhowouldbringpeaceoveralltheearth.Someexpectedonewho
wouldbringinthereignofrighteousness.Mostexpectedonewhowouldbeagreat
nationalchampiontoleadthearmiesoftheJewsasconquerorsoveralltheworld.
SomeexpectedasupernaturalfigurestraightfromGod.Stillmoreexpectedaprince
torisefromDavid'sline.FrequentlyMessianicpretendersaroseandcaused
rebellions.ThetimeofJesuswasanexcitedage.ItwasnaturaltoaskJohnifhe
claimedtobetheMessiah.Johncompletelyrejectedthatclaimbutherejectedit
withacertainhint.IntheGreekthewordIisstressedbyitsposition.ItisasifJohn
said:"IamnottheMessiah,but,ifyouonlyknew,theMessiahishere."

(ii)TheyaskedhimifhewasElijah.ItwastheJewishbeliefthat,beforetheMessiah
came,Elijahwouldreturntoheraldhiscomingandtopreparetheworldtoreceive
him.Particularly,Elijahwastocometoarrangealldisputes.Hewouldsettlewhat
thingsandwhatpeoplewerecleananduncleanhewouldsettlewhowereJewsand
whowerenotJewshewouldbringtogetheragainfamilieswhichwereestranged.So
muchdidtheJewsbelievethisthatthetraditionallawsaidthatmoneyandproperty
whoseownersweredisputed,oranythingfoundwhoseownerwasunknown,must
wait"untilElijahcomes."ThebeliefthatElijahwouldcomebeforetheMessiahgoes
backtoMalachi4:5.ItwasevenbelievedthatElijahwouldanointtheMessiahtohis
kinglyoffice,asallkingswereanointed,andthathewouldraisethedeadtosharein
thenewkingdombutJohndeniedthatanysuchhonourwashis.
(iii)Theyaskedhimifhewastheexpectedandpromisedprophet.Itwassometimes
believedthatIsaiahand,especially,Jeremiahwouldreturnatthecomingofthe
Messiah.ButthisisreallyareferencetotheassurancewhichMosesgavetothe
peopleinDeuteronomy18:15:"TheLordyourGodwillraiseupforyouaprophetlike
mefromamongyou,fromyourbrethrenhimyoushallheed."Thatwasapromise
thatnoJeweverforgot.Theywaitedandlongedfortheemergenceoftheprophet
whowouldbethegreatestofallprophets,theProphetparexcellence.Butonce
againJohndeniedthatthishonourwashis.
Sotheyaskedhimwhohewashisanswerwasthathewasnothingbutavoice
biddingmenpreparethewayfortheking.ThequotationisfromIsaiah40:3.Allthe
gospelsciteit(Mark1:3Matthew3:3Luke3:4).Theideabehinditisthis.Eastern
roadswerenotsurfacedandmetalled.Theyweremeretracks.Whenakingwas
abouttovisitaprovince,whenaconquerorwasabouttotravelthroughhisdomains,
theroadsweresmoothedandstraightenedoutandputinorder.WhatJohnwas
sayingwas:"IamnobodyIamonlyavoicetellingyoutogetreadyforthecoming
oftheking,forheisontheway."
Johnwaswhateverytruepreacherandteacheroughttobeonlyavoice,apointer
totheking.Thelastthingthathewantedmentodowastolookathimhewanted
themtoforgethimandseeonlytheking.
ButthePhariseeswerepuzzledaboutonethingwhatrighthadJohntobaptize?If
hehadbeentheMessiah,orevenElijahortheprophet,hemighthavebaptized.
Isaiahhadwritten:"Soshallhesprinklemanynations"(Isaiah52:15).Ezekielhad
said:"Iwillsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyoushallbeclean"(Ezekiel36:25).
Zechariahhadsaid:"Onthatdaythereshallbeafountainopenedforthehouseof
DavidandtheinhabitantsofJerusalemtocleansethemfromsinanduncleanness"
(Zechariah13:1).ButwhyshouldJohnbaptize?
Whatmadethematterstillmorestrangewasthis.Baptismatthehandsofmenwas
notforIsraelitesatall.Itwasproselytes,incomersfromotherfaiths,whowere
baptized.AnIsraelitewasneverbaptizedhewasGod'salreadyanddidnotneedto
bewashed.ButGentileshadtobewashedinbaptism.JohnwasmakingIsraelites
dowhatonlyGentileshadtodo.Hewassuggestingthatthechosenpeoplehadto
becleansed.ThatwasindeedpreciselywhatJohnbelieved.Buthedidnotanswer
directly.
Hesaid:"IambaptizingonlywithwaterbutthereisOneamongyouyoudon't
recognizehimandIamnotworthytountiethestrapsofhisshoes."Johncouldnot
havecitedamoremenialoffice.Tountiethestrapsofsandalswasslaves'work.
TherewasaRabbinicsayingwhichsaidthatadisciplemightdoforhismaster
anythingthataservantdid,exceptonlytountiehissandals.Thatwastoomeniala
serviceforevenadiscipletorender.SoJohnsaid:"OneiscomingwhoseslaveI
amnotfittobe."WearetounderstandthatbythistimethebaptismofJesushad
takenplaceatwhichJohnhadrecognizedJesus.SohereJohnissayingagain:"The
kingiscoming.And,forhiscoming,youneedtobecleansedasmuchasany
Gentile.Prepareyourselffortheentryintohistoryoftheking."
John'sfunctionwastobeonlytheprepareroftheway.Anygreatnesshehadcame
fromthegreatnessoftheonewhosecomingheforetold.Heisthegreatexampleof
themanpreparedtoobliteratehimselfinorderthatJesusChristmaybeseen.He
wasonly,ashesawit,afingerpostpointingtoChrist.Godgiveusgracetoforget
ourselvesandtorememberonlyChrist.

THELAMBOFGOD(John1:2931)
1:2931Onthenextday,JohnsawJesusashewascoming
towardshim,andsaid:"See!TheLambofGodwhoistaking
awaythesinoftheworld!ThisisheofwhomIsaidtoyou:
'Thereisamanwhoiscomingafterme,whohasbeen
advancedbeforeme,becausehewasbeforeme.'EvenIdidnot
knowhim.Allthesame,thereasonthatIcamebaptizingwith
wateristhathemightbeshownforthtoIsrael."
HerewecometotheseconddayofthismomentousweekinthelifeofJesus.By
thistimehisbaptismandhistemptationswerepastandhewasabouttosethis
handtotheworkwhichhecameintotheworldtodo.OnceagaintheFourthGospel
showsusJohnpayingspontaneoustributetoJesus.Hecallshimbythat
tremendoustitlewhichhasbecomewovenintotheverylanguageofdevotionThe
LambofGod.WhatwasinJohn'smindwhenheusedthattitle?Thereareatleast
fourpictureswhichmaywellcontributesomethingtoit.
(i)ItmaywellhavebeenthatJohnwasthinkingofthePassoverLamb.The
PassoverFeastwasnotveryfaraway(John2:13).TheoldstoryofthePassover
wasthatitwasthebloodoftheslainlambwhichprotectedthehousesofthe
IsraelitesonthenightwhentheyleftEgypt(Exodus12:1113).Onthatnightwhen
theAngelofDeathwalkedabroadandslewthefirstbornoftheEgyptians,the
Israelitesweretosmeartheirdoorpostswiththebloodoftheslainlamb,andthe
angel,seeingit,wouldpassoverthathouse.Thebloodofthelambdeliveredthem
fromdestruction.IthasbeensuggestedthatevenasJohntheBaptistsawJesus,
therepassedbyflocksoflambs,beingdrivenuptoJerusalemfromthecountry
districtstoserveassacrificesforthePassoverFeast.ThebloodofthePassover
LambdeliveredtheIsraelitesinEgyptfromdeathanditmaybethatJohnwas
saying:"Thereistheonetruesacrificewhocandeliveryoufromdeath."Paultoo
thoughtofJesusasthePassoverLamb(1Corinthians5:7).Thereisadeliverance
thatonlyJesusChristcanwinforus.
(ii)Johnwasthesonofapriest.HewouldknowalltheritualoftheTempleandits
sacrifices.EverymorningandeveryeveningalambwassacrificedintheTemplefor
thesinsofthepeople(Exodus29:3842).SolongastheTemplestoodthisdaily
sacrificewasmade.Evenwhenthepeoplewerestarvinginwarandinsiegethey
neveromittedtoofferthelambuntilinA.D.70theTemplewasdestroyed.Itmaybe
thatJohnissaying:"IntheTemplealambisofferedeverynightandeverymorning
forthesinsofthepeoplebutinthisJesusistheonlysacrificewhichcandeliver
menfromsin."
(iii)Therearetwogreatpicturesofthelambintheprophets.Jeremiahwrites:"ButI
waslikeagentlelambledtotheslaughter"(Jeremiah11:19).AndIsaiahhasthe
greatpictureoftheonewhowasbrought"likealambtotheslaughter"(Isaiah53:7).
Boththesegreatprophetshadthevisionofonewhobyhissufferingsandhis
sacrifice,meeklyandlovinglyborne,wouldredeemhispeople.MaybeJohnis
saying:"Yourprophetsdreamedoftheonewhowastoloveandsufferanddiefor
thepeoplethatoneiscome."Itiscertainlytruethatinlatertimesthepictureof
Isaiah53:112becametothechurchoneofthemostpreciousforecastsofJesusin
alltheOldTestament.ItmaybethatJohntheBaptistwasthefirsttoseeitso.
(iv)ThereisafourthpicturewhichwouldbeveryfamiliartotheJews,althoughvery
strangetous.BetweentheOldandNewTestamentstherewerethedaysofthe
greatstrugglesoftheMaccabees.Inthosedaysthelamb,andespeciallythehorned
lamb,wasthesymbolofagreatconqueror.JudasMaccabaeusissodescribed,as
areSamuelandDavidandSolomon.Thelambstrangeasitmaysoundtousstood
fortheconqueringchampionofGod.Itmaywellbethatthisisnopictureofgentle
andhelplessweakness,butratherapictureofconqueringmajestyandpower.Jesus
wasthechampionofGodwhofoughtwithsinandmastereditinsinglecontest.
Thereissheerwonderinthisphrase,theLambofGod.Ithauntedthewriterofthe
Revelation.Twentyninetimesheusedit.Itbecomesoneofthemostprecioustitles
ofChrist.Inoneworditsumsupthelove,thesacrifice,thesufferingandthetriumph
ofChrist.

JohnsaysthathedidnotknowJesus.NowJohnwasarelationofJesus(Luke
1:36),andhemusthavebeenacquaintedwithhim.WhatJohnissayingisnotthat
hedidnotknowwhoJesuswas,butthathedidnotknowwhatJesuswas.Ithad
suddenlybeenrevealedtohimthatJesuswasnoneotherthantheSonofGod.
OnceagainJohnmakesclearwhathisonlyfunctionwas.Itwastopointmento
Christ.HewasnothingandChristwaseverything.Heclaimednogreatnessandno
placeforhimselfhewasonlythemanwho,asitwere,drewbackthecurtainand
leftJesusoccupyingthelonelycentreofthestage.
THECOMINGOFTHESPIRIT(John1:3234)
1:3234SoJohnborehiswitness."Withmyowneyes,"hesaid,
"IsawtheSpiritcomingdownfromheaven,asitmighthave
beenadove,andtheSpiritremaineduponhim.AndIdidnot
knowhim.Butitwashewhosentmetobaptizewithwaterwho
saidtome:'TheoneonwhomyouseetheSpiritcomingdown
andremainingistheonewhobaptizeswiththeHolySpirit.'And
IsawithappenandmywitnessstandsthatthisistheSonof
God."
SomethinghadhappenedatthebaptismofJesuswhichhadconvincedJohnbeyond
alldoubtthatJesuswastheSonofGod.Asthefathersofthechurchsawcenturies
ago,itwassomethingwhichonlytheeyeofthemindandsoulcouldsee.ButJohn
sawitandwasconvinced.
InPalestinethedovewasasacredbird.Itwasnothuntedanditwasnoteaten.
PhilonoticedthenumberofdovesatAscalon,becauseitwasnotpermittedtocatch
andkillthem,andtheyweretame.InGenesis1:2wereadofthecreativeSpiritof
Godmovinguponthefaceofthewaters.TheRabbisusedtosaythattheSpiritof
Godmovedandflutteredlikeadoveovertheancientchaosbreathingorderand
beautyintoit.ThepictureofthedovewasonewhichtheJewsknewandloved.
ItwasathisbaptismthattheSpiritcamedownuponJesuswithpower.Wemust
rememberthatatthistimetheChristiandoctrineoftheSpirithadnotyetcomeinto
being.WehavetowaitforthelastchaptersofJohn'sgospelandforPentecostfor
thattoemerge.WhenJohntheBaptistspokeoftheSpiritcominguponJesus,he
musthavebeenthinkinginJewishterms.WhatthenwastheJewishideaofthe
Spirit?
TheJewishwordforSpiritisruach(Hebrew#7307),thewordwhichmeanswind.To
theJewtherewerealwaysthreebasicideasoftheSpirit.TheSpiritwaspower,
powerlikeamightyrushingwindtheSpiritwaslife,theverydynamicofthe
existenceofmantheSpiritwasGodthepowerandthelifeoftheSpiritwere
beyondmerehumanachievementandattainmentthecomingoftheSpiritintoa
man'slifewasthecomingofGod.AboveallitwastheSpiritwhocontrolledand
inspiredtheprophets."Iamfilledwithpower,withtheSpiritoftheLord,andwith
justiceandmighttodeclaretoJacobhistransgressionandtoIsraelhissin"(Micah
3:8).GodspeakstoIsaiahof"MySpiritwhichisuponyouandmywordswhichI
haveputinyourmouth"(Isaiah59:21)."TheSpiritoftheLordGodisuponme
becausetheLordhasanointedmetobringgoodtidings"(Isaiah61:1)."AnewheartI
willgiveyouandanewspiritIwillputwithinyou....IwillputmySpiritwithinyou"
(Ezekiel36:2627).WemaysaythattheSpiritofGoddidthreethingsforthemanon
whomhecame.First,hebroughttomenthetruthofGod.Second,hegavementhe
powertorecognizethattruthwhentheysawit.Third,hegavethemtheabilityand
thecouragetopreachthattruthtomen.TotheJewtheSpiritwasGodcomingintoa
man'slife.
AthisbaptismtheSpiritcameuponJesusinadifferentwayfromthatinwhichhe
evercameonanyotherperson.Mostmenhavewhatmightbecalledspasmodic
experiencesoftheSpirit.Theyhavetheirmomentsofdazzlingillumination,of
extraordinarypower,ofsuperhumancourage.Butthesemomentscomeandgo.
Twice(John1:3233)JohngoesoutofhiswaytopointoutthattheSpiritremained
onJesus.Herewasnomomentaryinspiration.InJesustheSpirittookuphis
permanentabode.Thatisstillanotherwayofsayingthatthemindandthepowerof
GodwereuniquelyinJesus.

Herewecanlearnagreatdealofwhatthewordbaptismmeans.TheGreekverb
baptizein(Greek#907)meanstodiportosubmerge.Itcanbeusedofclothesbeing
dippedindyeitcanbeusedofashipsubmergedbeneaththewavesitcanbeused
ofapersonwhoissodrunkthatheissoakedindrink.WhenJohnsaysthatJesus
willbaptizemenwiththeHolySpirit,hemeansthatJesuscanbringGod'sSpiritto
usinsuchawaythatwearesaturatedandourlifeandbeingarefloodedwiththat
Spirit.
NowwhatdidthisbaptismmeanforJohn?Hisownbaptismmeanttwothings.(i)It
meantcleansing.Itmeantthatamanwasbeingwashedfromtheimpuritiesthat
clungtohim.(ii)Itmeantdedication.Itmeantthathewentouttoanewanda
differentandabetterlife.ButJesus'baptismwasabaptismoftheSpirit.Ifwe
remembertheJewishconceptionoftheSpiritwecansaythatwhentheSpirittakes
possessionofamancertainthingshappen.
(i)Hislifeisillumined.TherecomestohimtheknowledgeofGodandGod'swill.He
knowswhatGod'spurposeis,whatlifemeans,wheredutylies.SomeofGod's
wisdomandlighthascomeintohim.
(ii)Hislifeisstrengthened.Knowledgewithoutpowerisahauntingandfrustrating
thing.ButtheSpiritgivesusnotonlyknowledgetoknowtheright,butalsostrength
andpowertodoit.TheSpiritgivesusatriumphantadequacytocopewithlife.
(iii)Hislifeispurified.Christ'sbaptismwiththeSpiritwastobeabaptismoffire
(Matthew3:11Luke3:16).Thedrossofevilthings,thealloyofthelowerthings,the
baseadmixtureisburnedawayuntilamaniscleanandpure.
OftenourprayersfortheSpiritareakindoftheologicalandliturgicalformalitybut
whenweknowthatforwhichwearepraying,theseprayersbecomeadesperatecry
fromtheheart.
THEFIRSTDISCIPLES(John1:3539)
1:3539OnthenextdayJohnwasagainstandingwithtwoof
hisdisciples.JohnlookedatJesusashewalked."See!"he
said,"TheLambofGod!"Andthetwodisciplesheardhim
speakingandfollowedJesus.Jesusturnedandsawthem
followinghim."Whatareyoulookingfor?"hesaidtothem.
"Rabbi"(thewordmeansTeacher),theysaidtohim,"whereare
youstaying?"Hesaidtothem:"Comeandsee!"Theycame
andsawwherehewasstaying,andtheystayedwithhim
throughoutthatday.Anditwasaboutfouro'clockinthe
afternoon.
Neverwasapassageofscripturefulleroflittlerevealingtouchesthanthis.
OnceagainweseeJohntheBaptistpointingbeyondhimself.Hemusthaveknown
verywellthattospeaktohisdisciplesaboutJesuslikethatwastoinvitethemto
leavehimandtransfertheirloyaltytothisnewandgreaterteacherandyethedidit.
TherewasnojealousyinJohn.Hehadcometoattachmennottohimselfbutto
Christ.Thereisnohardertaskthantotakethesecondplacewhenoncethefirst
placewasenjoyed.ButassoonasJesusemergedonthesceneJohnneverhadany
otherthoughtthantosendmentohim.
SothetwodisciplesofJohnfollowedJesus.Itmaywellbethattheyweretooshyto
approachhimdirectlyandfollowedrespectfullysomedistancebehind.ThenJesus
didsomethingentirelycharacteristic.Heturnedandspoketothem.Thatistosay,
hemetthemhalfway.Hemadethingseasierforthem.Heopenedthedoorthatthey
mightcomein.
Herewehavethesymbolofthedivineinitiative.ItisalwaysGodwhotakesthefirst
step.Whenthehumanmindbeginstoseekandthehumanheartbeginstolong,God
comestomeetusfarmorethanhalfway.Goddoesnotleaveamantosearchand
searchuntilhecomestohimGodgoesouttomeettheman.AsAugustinesaid,we
couldnotevenhavebeguntoseekforGodunlesshehadalreadyfoundus.When
wegotoGodwedonotgotoonewhohideshimselfandkeepsusatadistancewe

gotoonewhostandswaitingforus,andwhoeventakestheinitiativebycomingto
meetusontheroad.
Jesusbeganbyaskingthesetwomenthemostfundamentalquestioninlife."What
areyoulookingfor?"heaskedthem.Itwasveryrelevanttoaskthatquestionin
PalestineinthetimeofJesus.Weretheylegalists,lookingonlyforsubtleand
reconditeconversationsaboutthelittledetailsoftheLaw,likethescribesand
Pharisees?Weretheyambitioustimeserverslookingforpositionandpowerlikethe
Sadducees?Weretheynationalistslookingforapoliticaldemagogueandamilitary
commanderwhowouldsmashtheoccupyingpowerofRomeliketheZealots?Were
theyhumblemenofprayerlookingforGodandforhiswill,liketheQuietinthe
Land?Orweretheysimplypuzzled,bewilderedsinfulmenlookingforlightonthe
roadoflifeandforgivenessfromGod?
Itwouldbewellifeverynowandagainweweretoaskourselves:"WhatamIlooking
for?What'smyaimandgoal?WhatamIreallytryingtogetoutoflife?"
Somearesearchingforsecurity.Theywouldlikeapositionwhichissafe,money
enoughtomeettheneedsoflifeandtoputsomepastforthetimewhenworkis
done,amaterialsecuritywhichwilltakeawaytheessentialworryaboutmaterial
things.Thisisnotawrongaim,butitisalowaim,andaninadequatethingtowhich
todirectalllifefor,inthelastanalysis,thereisnosafesecurityinthechancesand
thechangesofthislife.
Somearesearchingforwhattheywouldcallacareer,forpower,prominence,
prestige,foraplacetofitthetalentsandtheabilitiestheybelievethemselvesto
have,foranopportunitytodotheworktheybelievethemselvescapableofdoing.If
thisbedirectedbymotivesofpersonalambitionitcanbeabadaimifitbedirected
bymotivesoftheserviceofourfellowmenitcanbeahighaim.Butitisnotenough,
foritshorizonislimitedbytimeandbytheworld.
Somearesearchingforsomekindofpeace,forsomethingtoenablethemtoliveat
peacewiththemselves,andatpeacewithGod,andatpeacewithmen.Thisisthe
searchforGodthisaimonlyJesusChristcanmeetandsupply.
TheanswerofJohn'sdiscipleswasthattheywishedtoknowwhereJesusstayed.
TheycalledhimRabbi(Greek#4461)thatisaHebrewword(Hebrew#7227)which
literallymeansMygreatone.Itwasthetitleofrespectgivenbystudentsand
seekersafterknowledgetotheirteachersandtowisemen.John,theevangelist,
waswritingforGreeks.HeknewtheywouldnotrecognizethatHebrewword,sohe
translateditforthembytheGreekworddidaskalos(Greek#1320),teacher.Itwas
notmerecuriositywhichmadethesetwoaskthisquestion.Whattheymeantwas
thattheydidnotwishtospeaktoJesusonlyontheroad,inthepassing,aschance
acquaintancesmightstopandexchangeafewwords.Theywishedtolingerlongwith
himandtalkouttheirproblemsandtheirtroubles.ThemanwhowouldbeJesus'
disciplecanneverbesatisfiedwithapassingword.HewantstomeetJesus,notas
anacquaintanceinthepassing,butasafriendinhisownhouse.
Jesus'answerwas:"Comeandsee!"TheJewishRabbishadawayofusingthat
phraseintheirteaching.Theywouldsay:"Doyouwanttoknowtheanswertothis
question?Doyouwanttoknowthesolutiontothisproblem?Comeandsee,andwe
willthinkaboutittogether."WhenJesussaid:"Comeandsee!"hewasinviting
them,notonlytocomeandtalk,buttocomeandfindthethingsthathealonecould
openouttothem.
Johnwhowrotethegospelfinishestheparagraph"Itwasaboutfouro'clockinthe
afternoon."Itmayverywellbethathefinishesthatwaybecausehewasoneofthe
twohimselfHecouldtellyoutheveryhourofthedayandnodoubttheverystoneof
theroadhewasstandingonwhenhemetJesus.Atfouro'clockonaspring
afternooninGalilee,lifebecameanewthingforhim.
SHARINGTHEGLORY(John1:4042)
1:4042Andrew,SimonPeter'sbrother,wasoneofthetwowho
hadheardJohnspeakingaboutJesus,andwhohadfollowed
him.Firstthinginthemorning,hewentandfoundhisown

brotherSimon."WehavefoundtheMessiah,"hesaidtohim.
(ThewordMessiahmeansthesameasthewordChrist.)He
broughthimtoJesus.Jesuslookedintentlyathim."Youare
Simon,Jona'sson,"hesaid."YouwillbecalledCephas."
CephasisthesamenameasPeterandmeansarock.
TheRevisedStandardVersionhasitthatAndrew"firstfoundhisbrotherSimon."In
theGreekmanuscriptstherearetworeadings.Somemanuscriptshavetheword
proton(Greek#4412),whichmeansfirst,andthatisthereadingthattheRevised
StandardVersionhastranslated.Othermanuscriptshaveproi(Greek#4404),which
meansearlyinthemorning.Inourtranslationwehavetakenthesecondreading
becauseitsuitsbetterthestoryofthefirstmomentousweekinJesus'lifetoregard
thiseventastakingplaceonthenextday.
AgainJohnexplainsaHebrewwordinordertohelphisGreekreaderstounderstand
better.MessiahandChristarethesameword.MessiahisHebrewandChristis
Greekbothmeananointed.Intheancientworld,astodayinourowncountry,kings
wereanointedwithoilattheircoronation.MessiahandChristosbothmeanGod's
AnointedKing.
WedonotpossessagreatdealofinformationaboutAndrew,buteventhelittlethat
weknowperfectlypaintshischaracter.Heisoneofthemostattractivemeninthe
apostolicband.Hehastwooutstandingcharacteristics.
(i)Andrewwascharacteristicallythemanwhowaspreparedtotakethesecond
place.AgainandagainheisidentifiedasSimonPeter'sbrother.Itisclearthathe
livedundertheshadowofPeter.PeoplemightnotknowwhoAndrewwas,but
everyoneknewPeterandwhenmenspokeofAndrewtheydescribedhimasPeter's
brother.Andrewwasnotoneoftheinnercircleofthedisciples.WhenJesushealed
Jairus'daughter,whenhewentuptotheMountofTransfiguration,whenhe
underwenthistemptationinGethsemane,itwasPeter,JamesandJohnwhomhe
tookwithhim.ItwouldhavebeensoeasyforAndrewtoresentthis.Washenotone
ofthefirsttwodiscipleswhoeverfollowedJesus?DidPeternotowehismeeting
withJesustohim?Mighthenotreasonablyhaveexpectedaforemostplaceinthe
apostolicband?ButallthatneverevenoccurredtoAndrew.Hewasquitecontentto
standbackandlethisbrotherhavethelimelighthewasquitecontenttoplaya
humblepartinthecompanyoftheTwelve.ToAndrewmattersofprecedenceand
placeandhonourmatterednothingatall.AllthatmatteredwastobewithJesusand
toservehimaswellashecould.Andrewisthepatronsaintofallwhohumblyand
loyallyandungrudginglytakethesecondplace.
(ii)AndrewischaracteristicallythemanwhowasalwaysintroducingotherstoJesus.
ThereareonlythreetimesinthegospelstorywhenAndrewisbroughtintothecentre
ofthestage.Thereisthisincidenthere,inwhichhebringsPetertoJesus.Thereis
theincidentinJohn6:89whenhebringstoJesustheboywiththefiveloavesand
twosmallfishes.AndthereistheincidentinJohn12:22whenhebringsthe
enquiringGreeksintothepresenceofJesus.ItwasAndrew'sgreatjoytobring
otherstoJesus.Hestandsoutasthemanwhoseonedesirewastosharetheglory.
Heisthemanwiththemissionaryheart.Havinghimselffoundthefriendshipof
Jesus,hespentallhislifeinintroducingotherstothatfriendship.Andrewisour
greatexampleinthathecouldnotkeepJesustohimself.
WhenAndrewbroughtPetertoJesus,JesuslookedatPeter.Thewordusedofthat
lookisemblepein(Greek#1689).Itdescribesaconcentrated,intentgaze,thegaze
whichdoesnotseeonlythesuperficialthingsthatlieonthesurface,butwhichreads
aman'sheart.WhenJesussawSimon,ashewasthencalled,hesaidtohim:"Your
nameisSimonbutyouaregoingtobecalledCephas,whichmeansarock."
Intheancientworldnearlyeveryonehadtwonames.Greekwastheuniversal
languageandnearlyeveryonehadanameinhisownnativetongue,bywhichhewas
knowntohisfriends.ThomaswastheAramaicandDidymus(DidumosGreek
#1324)theGreekforatwinTabitha(Greek#5000compareHebrew#6646)wasthe
AramaicandDorcas(DorkasGreek#1393)theGreekforagazelle.Sometimesthe
GreeknamewaschosenbecauseitsoundedliketheAramaicname.AJewwhowas
calledEliakimorAbelinhisowntonguemightbecomeAlcimusorApellestohis
Greekcircleofacquaintances.SothenPeter(Greek#4074)andCephas(Greek

#2786)arenotdifferentnamestheyarethesamenameindifferentlanguages.
IntheOldTestamentachangeofnameoftendenotedanewrelationshipwithGod.
Forinstance,JacobbecameIsrael(Genesis32:28),andAbrambecameAbraham
(Genesis17:5)whentheyenteredintoanewrelationshipwithGod.Whenaman
entersintoanewrelationshipwithGod,itisasiflifebeganalloveragainandhe
becameanewman,sothatheneedsanewname.
ButthegreatthingaboutthisstoryisthatittellsushowJesuslooksatmen.He
doesnotonlyseewhatamanishealsoseeswhatamancanbecome.Hesees
notonlytheactualitiesinamanhealsoseesthepossibilities.Jesuslookedat
PeterandsawinhimnotonlyaGalilaeanfishermanbutonewhohaditinhimto
becometherockonwhichhischurchwouldbebuilt.Jesusseesusnotonlyaswe
are,butaswecanbeandhesays:"Giveyourlifetome,andIwillmakeyouwhat
youhaveitinyoutobe."OncesomeonecameonMichelangelochippingawaywith
hischiselatahugeshapelesspieceofrock.Heaskedthesculptorwhathewas
doing."Iamreleasingtheangelimprisonedinthismarble,"heanswered.Jesusis
theonewhoseesandcanreleasethehiddenheroineveryman.
THESURRENDEROFNATHANAEL(John1:4351)
1:4351OnthenextdayJesusdeterminedtogoawayto
GalileeandtherehefoundPhilip.Jesussaidtohim:"Follow
me!"NowPhilipcamefromBethsaida,whichwasthetownfrom
whichAndrewandPetercame.PhilipwentandfoundNathanael
andsaidtohim:"WehavefoundtheOneaboutwhomMoses
wroteinthelaw,andaboutwhomtheprophetsspokeImean
Jesus,thesonofJoseph,themanfromNazareth."Nathanael
saidtohim:"CananythinggoodcomeoutofNazareth?"Philip
saidtohim:"Comeandsee!"WhenJesussawNathanael
comingtowardshim,hesaid:"See!Amanwhoisreallyan
Israelite!Amaninwhomthereisnoguile!"Nathanaelsaidto
him:"Howdoyouknowme?""BeforePhilipcalledyou,"said
Jesus,"Isawyouwhenyouwereunderthefigtree.""Rabbi,"
answeredNathanael,"youaretheSonofGodyouaretheKing
ofIsrael."Jesusanswered:"DoyoubelievebecauseIsaidto
you,'Isawyouunderthefigtree'?Youwillseegreeterthings
thanthese."Hesaidtohim:"ThisisthetruthItellyouyouwill
seetheheavensopened,andtheangelsofGodascendingand
descendingontheSonofMan."
AtthispointinthestoryJesusleftthesouthandwentnorthtoGalilee.There,
perhapsinCana,hefoundandcalledPhilip.Philip,likeAndrew,couldnotkeepthe
goodnewstohimself.AsGodetsaid:"Onelightedtorchservestolightanother."So
PhilipwentandfoundhisfriendNathanael.Hetoldhimthathebelievedthathehad
discoveredthelongpromisedMessiahinJesus,themanfromNazareth.Nathanael
wascontemptuous.TherewasnothingintheOldTestamentwhichforetoldthat
God'sChosenOneshouldcomefromNazareth.Nazarethwasaquite
undistinguishedplace.NathanaelhimselfcamefromCana,anotherGalilaeantown,
and,incountryplaces,jealousybetweentownandtown,andrivalrybetweenvillage
andvillage,isnotorious.Nathanael'sreactionwastodeclarethatNazarethwasnot
thekindofplacethatanythinggoodwaslikelytocomeoutof.Philipwaswise.He
didnotargue.Hesaidsimply:"Comeandsee!"
NotverymanypeoplehaveeverbeenarguedintoChristianity.Oftenourarguments
domoreharmthangood.Theonlywaytoconvinceamanofthesupremacyof
ChrististoconfronthimwithChrist.Onthewholeitistruetosaythatitisnot
argumentativeandphilosophicalpreachingandteachingwhichhavewonmenfor
ChristitisthepresentationofthestoryoftheCross.
Thereisastorywhichtellshow,towardstheendofthenineteenthcentury,Huxley,
thegreatagnostic,wasamemberofahousepartyatacountryhouse.Sunday
cameround,andmostofthememberspreparedtogotochurchbut,verynaturally,
Huxleydidnotproposetogo.Huxleyapproachedamanknowntohaveasimpleand
radiantChristianfaith.Hesaidtohim:"Supposeyoudon'tgotochurchtoday.
SupposeyoustayathomeandyoutellmequitesimplywhatyourChristianfaith

meanstoyouandwhyyouareaChristian.""But,"saidtheman,"youcould
demolishmyargumentsinaninstant.I'mnotcleverenoughtoarguewithyou."
Huxleysaidgently:"Idon'twanttoarguewithyouIjustwantyoutotellmesimply
whatthisChristmeanstoyou."ThemanstayedathomeandtoldHuxleymost
simplyofhisfaith.Whenhehadfinishedthereweretearsinthegreatagnostic's
eyes."Iwouldgivemyrighthand,"hesaid,"ifonlyIcouldbelievethat."
ItwasnotcleverargumentthattouchedHuxley'sheart.Hecouldhavedealt
efficientlyanddevastatinglywithanyargumentthatthatsimpleChristianwaslikely
tohaveproduced,butthesimplepresentationofChristcaughthimbytheheart.The
bestargumentistosaytopeople:"Comeandsee!"Ofcourse,wehavetoknow
Christourselvesbeforewecaninviteotherstocometohim.Thetrueevangelist
musthimselfhavemetChristfirst.
SoNathanaelcameandJesuscouldseeintohisheart."Here,"saidJesus,"isa
genuineIsraelite,amaninwhoseheartthereisnoguile."Thatwasatributethatany
devoutIsraelitewouldrecognize."Blessedistheman,"saidthePsalmist,"towhom
theLordimputesnoiniquity,andinwhosespiritthereisnodeceit"(Psalms32:2).
"Hehaddonenoviolence,"saidtheprophetoftheServantoftheLord"andthere
wasnodeceitinhismouth"(Isaiah53:9).
Nathanaelwassurprisedthatanyonecouldgiveaverdictlikethatonsoshortan
acquaintance,andhedemandedhowJesuscouldpossiblyknowhim.Jesustoldhim
thathehadalreadyseenhimunderthefigtree.Whatisthesignificanceofthat?To
theJewsthefigtreealwaysstoodforpeace.Theirideaofpeacewaswhenaman
couldbeundisturbedunderhisownvineandhisownfigtree(compare1Kings4:25
Micah4:4).Further,thefigtreewasleafyandshadyanditwasthecustomtositand
meditateundertheroofofitsbranches.NodoubtthatwaswhatNathanaelhadbeen
doingandnodoubtashesatunderthefigtreehehadprayedforthedaywhen
God'sChosenOneshouldcome.Nodoubthehadbeenmeditatingonthepromises
ofGod.AndnowhefeltthatJesushadseenintotheverydepthsofhisheart.
ItwasnotsomuchthatJesushadseenhimunderthefigtreethatsurprised
NathanaelitwasthefactthatJesushadreadthethoughtsofhisinmostheart.
Nathanaelsaidtohimself:"Hereisthemanwhounderstandsmydreams!Hereis
themanwhoknowsmyprayers!Hereisthemanwhohasseenintomymost
intimateandsecretlongings,longingswhichIhaveneverevendaredputintowords!
Hereisthemanwhocantranslatetheinarticulatesighofmysoul!Thismustbe
God'spromisedanointedoneandnoother."Nathanaelcapitulatedforevertothe
manwhoreadandunderstoodandsatisfiedhisheart.
ItmaybethatJesussmiled.HequotedtheoldstoryofJacobatBethelwhohad
seenthegoldenladderleadinguptoheaven(Genesis28:1213).ItwasasifJesus
said:"Nathanael,Icandofarmorethanreadyourheart.Icanbeforyouandforall
mentheway,theladderthatleadstoheaven."ItisthroughJesusandJesusalone
thatthesoulsofmencanmounttheladderwhichleadstoheaven.
Thispassagepresentsuswithaproblem.WhowasNathanael?IntheFourthGospel
heisoneofthefirstgroupofdisciplesintheotherthreegospelsheneverappears
atall.Morethanoneexplanationhasbeengiven.
(i)IthasbeensuggestedthatNathanaelisnotarealfigureatall,butanidealfigure
standingforallthetrueIsraeliteswhoburstthebondsofnationalprideandprejudice
andgavethemselvestoJesusChrist.
(ii)Onthesamebasis,ithasbeensuggestedthathestandseitherforPaulorforthe
beloveddisciple.PaulwasthegreatexampleoftheIsraelitewhohadaccepted
Christthebeloveddisciplewastheidealdisciple.Againthesuppositionisthat
Nathanaelstandsforanidealthatheisatypeandnotaperson.Ifthiswerethe
onlymentionofNathanaelthatmightbetruebutNathanaelappearsagaininJohn
21:2andthereisnothoughtofhimasanidealthere.
(iii)HehasbeenidentifiedwithMatthew,becausebothMatthewandNathanaelmean
thegiftofGod.Wesawthatinthosedaysmostpeoplehadtwonamesbutthenone
namewasGreekandtheotherJewish.InthiscasebothMatthewandNathanaelare
Jewishnames.

(iv)Thereisasimplerexplanation.NathanaelwasbroughttoJesusbyPhilip.
Nathanael'snameisnevermentionedintheotherthreegospelsandintheFourth
GospelBartholomew'snameisnevermentioned.Now,inthelistofthedisciplesin
Matthew10:3andMark3:18,PhilipandBartholomewcometogether,asifitwas
naturalandinevitabletoconnectthem.Moreover,Bartholomewisreallyasecond
name.ItmeansSonofTholmaiorPtolemy.Bartholomewmusthavehadanother
name,afirstnameanditisatleastpossiblethatBartholomewandNathanaelare
thesamepersonunderdifferentnames.Thatcertainlyfitsthefacts.
Whateverelse,itistruethatNathanaelstandsfortheIsraelitewhoseheartwas
cleansedofprideandprejudiceandwhosawinJesustheonewhosatisfiedthe
longingofhiswaiting,seekingheart.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)
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TextCourtesyofBibleSupport.com.UsedbyPermission.
BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryonjohn1"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/print.cgi?bk=42&ch=1&vs=1".1956
1959.
20012015,StudyLight.org
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