It is very intimidating to write about the gospel of John, a book which some regard as the most sophisticated and most subtle literary work in the New Testament. Yet my aim is to convey the essence of devotions shared in the context of a ministry to the homeless and “down and out,” and our conversations are of such nature as to focus on the aspects of Jesus’ teaching and ministry most relevant to people in desperate circumstances. While study of the Bible is always an opportunity to explore amazing insights of truth found below the surface of the text, I must avoid the temptation to go off on tangents of interest only to theology geeks (like me).
John actually provides an introduction to this amazing story, and within that a summary which contains a collection of essential yet deep concepts. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. … For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” (1:14 – 18)
I would claim that one of the most important phrases in the Bible is “Jesus explains God.” This is the core of John’s gospel message supported by other details such as ..
1. The author of the rational order of the universe is God, and this God has come to live among us in human form.
2. We can see in Jesus an expression of God’s glory (what is that?), God’s grace, and God’s truth.
3. God used Moses to tell us a lot of what we know about God (the “law” of how we should live and the accompanying history). Jesus is beginning to help us understand that he will supersede and surpass Moses’ revelation of God. The truth of this statement will become more evident through Jesus subsequent actions and teachings.
4. No other man has seen God in a direct and unmediated way. Jesus, coming from and representing the heart of God, is uniquely qualified to explain God to us.
John actually provides an introduction to this amazing story, and within that a summary which contains a collection of essential yet deep concepts. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. … For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” (1:14 – 18)
I would claim that one of the most important phrases in the Bible is “Jesus explains God.” This is the core of John’s gospel message supported by other details such as ..
1. The author of the rational order of the universe is God, and this God has come to live among us in human form.
2. We can see in Jesus an expression of God’s glory (what is that?), God’s grace, and God’s truth.
3. God used Moses to tell us a lot of what we know about God (the “law” of how we should live and the accompanying history). Jesus is beginning to help us understand that he will supersede and surpass Moses’ revelation of God. The truth of this statement will become more evident through Jesus subsequent actions and teachings.
4. No other man has seen God in a direct and unmediated way. Jesus, coming from and representing the heart of God, is uniquely qualified to explain God to us.