Matthew and Luke begin their Gospels with a baby. Mark begins with a preacher in the wilderness. But John begins before time itself — in eternity, where the Word already was.
John 1 lifts our eyes to the highest things: the eternal Word who was God, the life that became the light of the world, and the staggering moment when that Word took on flesh and came near enough to dwell among us — and within us.
In the Beginning Was the Word
John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Before anything was made, the Word already was. Not created, not begun — eternal. "In the beginning was the Word."
And this Word "was with God, and was God" — distinct from the Father, yet fully God. Here, in the opening breath of the Gospel, is the mystery of who Jesus is: the eternal Son, God of God, the One through whom all things were made.
The Jesus we will meet healing the sick and weeping at a grave is not a good man who became divine. He is the eternal Word who became flesh. The One who lay in a manger had cradled the stars.
The Life Was the Light
John 1:4–5
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
"In him was life." The Word is the source of all life — and that life "was the light of men," the radiance that pierces our darkness and shows us the way.
And then a promise that has steadied believers through every dark age: "the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." The darkness could not understand the light, could not overcome it, could not put it out.
However deep the darkness around you or within you, it has never extinguished this Light, and it never will. The darkness does not get the last word. The Light still shines, and the night cannot swallow it.
To As Many As Received Him
John 1:12
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
And now the door swings open to us. To "as many as received him," He gives the right to become the children of God.
Notice it is not about earning or deserving, but receiving. The new life is a gift, held out to whoever will take it. And what a gift — not merely forgiveness, not merely a fresh start, but adoption: to become a child of God, brought into His family, given His own name.
This is where the indwelling life begins. To receive Christ is to be reborn into God's family, and to have His life take root in us — the first opening of the door through which He comes to dwell.
The Word Made Flesh
John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..."
And here is the heart of the chapter, and of the whole Gospel: the eternal Word "was made flesh, and dwelt among us."
The infinite became small. The Word took on skin and tears and a beating heart. The very word "dwelt" means He tabernacled — He pitched His tent among us, the Presence of God moving into our neighbourhood.
This was the first great movement of God coming near. He dwelt among us in Christ — and through that same Christ, He would come to dwell within us by His Spirit. The God of John 1 was never content to stay distant. He has been moving toward us all along, until He could make His home inside our hearts.
A Gentle Word for the Reader
John 1 sets your whole life against an immense backdrop. The One who calls you is the eternal Word, God from the beginning, the maker of all things. And this is the wonder: He did not stay in His glory, far above you. He became flesh and came near.
His life is the light that no darkness has ever overcome — so whatever night you are in, His light still shines, and it will not be put out. And to all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God, taking up residence in their hearts.
You are not reaching up to a distant, unknowable God. The Word has come down, full of grace, near enough to receive, near enough to dwell within you. Open the door. Receive Him. Let the Light that the darkness cannot conquer make its home in you.
Reflection Questions
- The eternal Word "was made flesh" and came near. How does it change your faith to know the God who calls you is the same One through whom all things were made?
- "The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." What darkness do you need to trust that Christ's light has not been, and cannot be, overcome by?
- To "as many as received him" He gives the right to become children of God. What does it mean to you to receive Christ rather than earn your way to Him?
Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, eternal Word, through whom all things were made — You did not stay far off in glory. You became flesh and dwelt among us.
Thank You that Your light shines in my darkness, and no night has ever been able to put it out.
I receive You. Make me a child of God, and come to make Your home in my heart.
Be the Light within me that the darkness can never conquer. I open the door to You today.
Amen.
JMS