In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1, NKJV
Note before sharing the devotional: recently, I’ve been experiencing a sort of fatigue with blog-posting. As a confession, this devotional was in my queue for posting for a little while, pending my sharing some thoughts. But sometimes that part just isn’t there. I will comment this time only to say that I love this verse, as it is a New Testament restatement of Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NKJV) I don’t believe you can have one without the other. Further, throughout all Biblical books co-authored by John the disciple (whether the Gospel of John or any of his three letters later on) regularly reference Jesus as the Word. For some, this might be considered a stretch, but what this means is that Jesus is the Bible, and the Bible is Jesus.
[Final confession: after writing the above, I just now glanced below at the devotional which basically said almost the exact same things. I’m not going to take any credit for the information shared or even the idea that I was “on the same wavelength” as the devotional writer below. I’m going to only give credit to God that both the devotional writer and I were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the same thing. I say this also to say that when a truth is confirmed twice, especially when each instance is independent of the other, it means that God really wants to highlight this to whoever is reading this. Be blessed, in Jesus’s name.]
The Best Word
One of the most powerful verses in Scripture is found in John’s gospel:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”John 1:1 ESV
As you keep reading, it becomes abundantly clear that the author, inspired by the Holy Spirit, identifies Jesus Christ as the “Word.”
From the first sentence in the Bible, we learn that, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Now, John explains, “In the beginning was the Word…” And not only was Jesus there in the beginning, but “the Word was with God…” And not only was the Word with God, but “the Word was God.”
So if Jesus has existed from the beginning, if He was with God, and if He was God, then that makes Him much more than a good person, a moral teacher, or even a prophet.
John claims that Jesus is fully man and fully God. Which seems ridiculous—unless, of course, it’s true.
The truth is, God loved the world so much that He gave up His divine privileges, was born into human skin, and died a criminal’s death—so that the people He loves could have eternal life. People like you.
Remember: He’s not just another name from history, He’s the very Creator of life.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for who You are. You are eternal, and that You are the Creator of everything that exists. Thank You for loving me enough to die on the cross for me so that I could have eternal life with You. Help me to live in worship of who You are. In Your holy name, Amen.
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