As an adult, you are standing next to one or both of your parents, and they are having a conversation with one of their old friends who you haven't seen since you were a child. Still with me? Good.
While they are talking, your parent's friend seems to be oblivious to your existence. They might even be shooting you those "why are you standing there and not leaving us alone" glances. After a short time listening to them talk, your parents finally motion to you and ask, "Do you remember my son/daughter, (insert your name)?"
Suddenly, this old friend's face lights up. It's as though the light has turned on in their brain. Now they know who you are! Now they want to talk to you, and share what they remember about you from your childhood.
Until you had been introduced, though, they had no clue who you were, and probably had no desire to talk to you. They may have even wondered why you were standing there, eavesdropping on the conversation.
But once they were introduced to you, and realized who you were, it changed things. Suddenly, you were interesting. Ever had that happen?
How Would You Know?
While not exactly the same, we see a similar scenario in John 4. Beginning in verse seven, we read about Jesus asking a woman of Samaria for a drink of water. Her response (vs. 9) is similar to the attitude of your parents' friends before they realize who you are; "Why are you talking to me? What do you have to do with me."
It turns out, Jesus was very important to this woman. Although she initially didn't know who she was talking to, she happened to be talking to the very man she was waiting for (John 4.25), the Messiah.
Jesus plainly tells her (John 4.26, NKJV), "I who speak to you am He." Her response is classic. Before this time, she had been critical, even questioning Jesus. Now, she leaves her water pot behind, and goes into the city to bring people back to Jesus (cf. John 4.28-29) saying, "Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did!"
"Let me introduce you to Jesus..."
Question: Have you met the Son of God? Would you know Him if you saw Him? Do you need to be introduced? That's exactly what John does for us.
Our text for this lesson, the first chapter of John's gospel account, is just that: An Introduction. John's mission in that first chapter is to introduce us to one man: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In John 1.29-34, John the Apostle records John the Baptist's declaration concerning Jesus, the "Lamb of God" (cf. Jn. 1.29). John states very plainly in verse 34, "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."
If we were simply looking to identify Him, we could almost stop there. If you were looking for the Son of God, both Johns have told you who He is: Jesus.
But what makes for a proper introduction? Is it merely the exchange of names? No, a proper introduction includes a lot more information. A good introduction gives good information about the person being introduced. A good introduction paints a picture.
So what kind of picture of Jesus does John paint?
1) Jesus is the Word
John 1:1-2 constitutes one of the most familiar passages of scripture in the Bible.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." (John 1.1-2, NKJV)
Of course John is referring to Jesus (noticed the capital "W" in "word," and consider verse 14). But why is Jesus called "the Word?" What does that designation have to do with Him?
Think about it this way: Are you a mind reader? I'd like to think that I can read Martha's mind. Unfortunately, I fail miserably time after time. At the same time, she's almost convinced me that she is a mind-reader sometimes.
In all seriousness, none of us can read minds. But we can read actions. We can listen to words. We know what the contents of a person's heart are because of what they say and do (consider Luke 6:45). The mind of a person is invisible; But through the actions and words that come forth from it, we can know its nature, and what is in it.
Just as we can't read or see minds, we can't see God (cf. John 1.18). How then do we know anything about Him? That's where "the Word" comes into this discussion. The word translated as "the Word" is the Greek word logos. It can refer to simply "something spoken," but it can also refer to "reason" or an expression of something.
Here's what this means to me personally. When I see that "the Word" was "in the beginning" (an eternal being), and was "with God" (literally, in an intimate union with God), and that "the Word was God" Himself, and that "the Word" became a man and lived on this earth, in the flesh, I can't help but be in awe of the man, Christ Jesus! Consider as well what "the Word" was willing to do on our behalf (Philippians 2.6-8) and you have to be heartless not to feel some kind of awe, respect, and gratitude.
John wants us to know that this Man is the man we are looking for, because he is the ultimate expression of God's love for us. In light of John 1:18, you need to realize that without Him, you can't know God! That's why you need Him.
Christ's life in the flesh was the physical manifestation of divine love. John also writes:
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:9, NKJV)
That brings us to the second descriptive word that John uses to introduce us to Jesus.
2) Jesus is the Life
As we make our way down to verse four of our chapter, we see this statement made:
"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1.4, NKJV)
In this verse, John tells us that Jesus "was life," and that he was "the life." What is John getting at? Certainly there's a part of this that goes back to verse three's description of the Creation, where "all things were made through Him.
But let's think about a deep question for just a moment: What is life?
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines life as "matter that shows certain attributes that include responsiveness, growth, metabolism, energy transformation, and reproduction.
That's why rocks aren't alive. Rocks don't eat. Any "growth" they have comes from picking up sediments which attach themselves to the outside of the rock itself. Rocks don't move. Rocks don't breathe. Rocks don't reproduce, unless you consider breaking one in half something of a "reproductive process." Very simply put, if it eats, grows, and or reproduces, it's alive. But is that all that it really takes to live? Is converting food into energy all that there is to life?
While being tempted by Satan, Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 8.3 in Matthew 4.4 and says:
"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4.4, NKJV)
Life is not just about the physical processes which make it happen, but about the way it is lived. According to Jesus, we aren't truly living until we are subject to the Word of God!
I've had people come to me before and ask, "Do you think that God can help make my life better? Do you think that being a Christian can make my life better?"
Folks, there are people in this world who are tired of being the "walking dead." Sin has made them sick to the point that they can't stand it. They are physically alive, spiritually dead inside.
Let me first make it clear that I'm not suggesting that Jesus is some sort of a "self-help" guru whose sole purpose in coming to this earth was to help everyone's lives be better on this earth. No, Jesus said that following Him would be hard, if not even deadly (consider Jesus' words to Peter, Andrew, James, and John in Mark 13.9-13).
Jesus did, though, bring spiritual bread to eat (John 6.47-51). Later, in John 6.48, Jesus affirms that He is the "bread of life." He again alludes back to Deuteronomy 8.3, and the manna in the wilderness which God gave, and their fathers ate. What has happened to their fathers? They are now dead (verse 49). But Jesus' bread, if we eat it daily and seek to sustain ourselves on it, will make us live forever in Heaven!
That brings us to one last introductory statement from John: "The life was the light of men."
3) Jesus is the Light
John records in verse four that the life became the "light of men." He goes on in verse 5 to write the following:
"And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1.5, NKJV)
One brief textual note on this passage. The word "comprehend" comes from a Greek word which means to "seize," and some translations even use the word "apprehend." What John is likely saying is that the forces of darkness tried to stop Jesus, but they couldn't. The other option is that they simply didn't understand (cf. 1 Corinthians 2.8). Either way, Christ is victorious, and still shines as a light into the darkness.
This idea of Jesus being "the Light" is a prominent one in this chapter, even more prominent than Jesus being "the Word." That certainly makes sense, for think of what light does?
First, light always overcomes darkness. If you turn on a flashlight in a dark room, or are using one outside at night, does the darkness cover up the light? No! No matter what, the light always "defeats" the darkness.
Second, light reveals things in the darkness. That's why so much crime is committed at night, in the shadows, where people can't see it. That's also why we put up security lights and street lights, and make sure that we park our cars in well-lit places. That's also why we have headlights on our cars, and carry flashlights when we walk outside at night. We don't want to stumble on something that is hidden in the darkness (consider John 11.9-10).
Jesus said about himself that He is the "light of the world" (cf. John 8.12). Consider that light represents divine wisdom, godliness, and righteousness. It's through Jesus that our minds are "illuminated" to know of sin, and the imminent danger it poses. It's through Jesus that we gain an example of godly living. It's through Jesus that we learn what it means to be righteous, to the point of death (cf. 1 Peter 2.21-24).
Of course darkness represents sin, ignorance, and death. Jesus eradicates the darkness of sin with His light. He calls us to walk in that light (righteous living) if we want to have fellowship with Him, and with God (cf. 1 John 1.7-9).
Consider as well Jesus' words in John 12.44-46. Jesus says there that believing in Him is the same as believing in God. He says that if we see Him, we see God. He also says that if we see and believe in Him, we should not live in darkness. Jesus provides that light in which to live.
Now What?
Introductions have two sides. To this point in our lesson, we've focused on the one being introduced. But equally as important is the other side of the introduction; It's reception.
Some people I've been introduced to in the past have paid little attention to the introduction. They were uninterested in me. Maybe you've experienced the same. Is that how you will respond to being introduced to Christ? To refuse to even acknowledge Him?
Then there are some who I've been introduced to who simply exchange pleasantries, but are quickly on their way. They acknowledge me, but they don't engage me. Sadly, many people do that with Christ. They give Him lip service, and may even profess belief, but they are soon quickly on their way. They never dig deeper. They never try to start a relationship. Is that what you are doing with your introduction to Christ?
The reception of both of these introductions made them both the beginning, and the end of a relationship.
But then there are some to whom I've been introduced that I've developed close relationships with. I'm still in contact with them, and we keep up with each other. We are friends now, even though we weren't before.
What kind of reception do you think Christ wants you to have?
"What will you do with Jesus,The question comes to you.And you must give an answer, for something you must do. What will it be, what will it be? What will your answer be? What will you do with Jesus? Oh what shall your answer be?"
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