Bible Study: John 1:1-3 - The Word

[Note: Bible Studies here at Faith Reviewed are compiled simply with prayer, the Word of God, and a keyboard. They tend to be based primarily on the King James Version only because it is familiar and in the public domain in the USA, which means no copyright issues regardless of how much of the text is quoted. Feel free to use your favorite translation as we study God's Word together.]

<Recommended Reading: John 1:1-3>           Bible Study:  John 1:1-3 - The Word     

John 1 verse 1

In the beginning was the Word... 

Genesis 1:1 says, In the beginning, God... Here at the outset of the book of John, we find, In the beginning was the Word. Jesus, the Word, was there in the beginning. 

Bear in mind that the Holy Spirit moved upon men and caused them to write the words God had set forth. These words were carefully and Divinely chosen for a reason, as we we see.


...and the Word was with God... Here John is establishing the fact that Jesus didn't just suddenly appear on the scene when He arrived in the manger. Jesus was with God in heaven in the beginning.


...and the Word was God. The previous 2 phrases set the stage for this revelation of truth, that Jesus was and is God. The Word (Jesus) was present at the beginning, He was with God and He is God.

John 1 verse 2

The same was in the beginning with God. 

When God repeats something in the Scriptures, it is not because He lost track of where He was on the topic, nor is it because He has nothing better to say. Always, when God repeats Himself, it is for a purpose. That purpose is to emphasize His point and to make sure our dull, human ears get it. So, God says we need to pay attention and remember this truth that Jesus was there in the beginning with God.

John 1 verse 3

All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Do you see in these first lines of John's writing, the progression of truth built on truth? First we're told Jesus, the Word, was there in the beginning. Then, we're told He was with God. Next, John reveals that Jesus is God. Now, we're told all things were made by him.


This building of one truth upon another reminds me of Isaiah 28:10, where God says... 

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.

Genesis 1:1 tells us, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John is saying that Jesus made all things. Again, we see Jesus' deity and now that He is the Creator.


Speaking of God's own dear Son, Paul wrote... 

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17).

Jesus is not just God the Creator, He holds it all together. And, why did He create all these things? As we just saw, all things were created by him, and for him. Why?


In Psalm 148, the heavens, angels, sun and moon, dragons, seas, fire, hail snow, mist, wind, mountains, hills, trees, creeping things, birds, animals, and all people of the earth are commanded to do just one thing...

...praise the name of the Lord,for his name alone is exalted;his majesty is above earth and heaven.
(Psalm 148:13 ESV)

All of creation was created to sing His praise and to give Him the glory due His Name.

The Word, Jesus Christ, was present and actively involved at the beginning, He created all things and by him all things consist.

The ESV translates that last phrase in Colossians  1:17 a little more clearly for modern English speakers. It says, in him all things hold together. 

A Few Thoughts

Jesus, the Word, as we noted was there in the beginning, was with God and was and is God. All things were created for His glory and he holds all things together. 

What do you think would happen if Jesus let go? Would the earth stop spinning in its orbit? Would the sun fail to rise each day? Would the rain water the earth ever again? 

Jesus not only has his hand on the world and the universe He created, He also has His hand on the greatest jewel in all His creative works. YOU. 

Jesus promised, I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5 ESV). Jesus won't let go of you or me because we were made for His glory and because He loves us so very much. 

The Word (Jesus) also tells us in His written Word (the Bible) that..

all things work together for good to them that love God,to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The Living Word will never go against His written Word. He's not ever going stop holding the world together and He's not going to stop holding you. Your purpose is to give Him praise. His promise is to never, ever let go.

Questions  

1. Who is the Word in John 1?
2. In verse 3, who are we told created all things?
3. Why were you created?
4. Can you think of other promises that Jesus, the Living Word, has made to you?