This is JesusJohn 1:1-18

2 common errors• Many deny the true deity of

Jesus–Some reject the possibility itself–Some reject that early Christians

made this claim

2 common errors• Many deny the true humanity

of Jesus–Some think of Jesus as merely

appearing to be human (cf. 1 John 4:1-3)–Some will say he was human, but

effectively deny this• Discomfort with embodied existence

John’s view• John explicitly identifies Jesus

as the divine logos who is also truly human (John 1:1, 14, 18)

Truly GodIn the beginning was the Word (logos)

And the Word (logos) was with God (pros ton theon)

And the Word (logos) was God (theos)

He was in the beginning with God (pros ton theon)

Truly God• The phrase ‘in the beginning’

alludes to Genesis 1:1–Genesis 1:1 identifies God as the

creator (cf. Genesis 2:4)– John states that the Word (logos) was

present at creation

Truly God• Verse 3 makes it clear that the

Word (logos) is the agent of creation

Everything came into being through him and without him nothing came into being which has come into being

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (Isaiah 40:28; ESV)

For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other. (Isa 45:18; ESV)

Truly God• The Hebrew Scriptures

explicitly identify YHWH as creator– John associates the Word (logos)

with YHWH–Cf. Col 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2-3

Truly God• The Word (logos) is also the

agent of revelation– He is the light of men (1:4)– He is the light that shines in the

darkness (1:5; 12:46)– He is the true light that shines on

everyone (1:9)

Truly God• The Word (logos) is also the

agent of revelation– He makes God the Father known to

mankind (1:18; 12:49-50; 14:9; 15:15; 17:6, 26)

Truly God• Many ignore or reject the light

–The ‘world’ loves darkness rather than light (cf. John 3:19)

–His own people did not receive or acknowledge him (1:11)

Truly Man• He became one of ‘us’

And the Word (logos) became flesh and lived among us and we saw his glory, glory as the unique one from the Father, full of grace and truth. (1:14)

Truly Man• He became one of ‘us’

–He makes ‘us’ known to ‘ourselves’–He reveals who ‘we’ truly are (1:9)

• As we were created to be• As we are in rebellion (3:19; 7:7)

Truly Man• God, in the person of the Son,

has entered into our suffering (cf. Hebrews 2:10; 4:15) –God is not distant or disinterested–God did this to redeem and restore

(John 3:16; 10:28)

This is Jesus• He is not simply a cute baby in

a manger• He is not simply a good friend• He is not simply a good teacher

or moral example

This is Jesus• He is God-incarnate (John 1:14; Phil 2:6;

Col 1:19)• He is Creator and Sustainer of

the world (John 1:3; Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:10)• He is the source of life

–Physical (John 1:4; 6:32ff.)–Spiritual (John 3:16; 10:10, 28; 11:25f.)

How will we respond?