John's form of testimony in his prologue sets the scene for his dramatic recording of the ministry of the Son of God among mankind. Matthew's purpose is to present Jesus as Messiah King; Mark, as the Servant of God; and Luke, His perfect humanity, all of which find expression in this fourth gospel. John's purpose was to witness to Christ as the incarnate Word of God.

There is no human genealogy in this gospel like Matthew's, who takes Christ's line back to Abraham and David (Matthew 1:1 ); or like Luke who traces the line back to Adam (Luke 3:38 ). John begins by taking us back before time, when Christ the Word "was" already in existence "with God."

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

This gospel testifies to Jesus Christ the Lord, to His pre-existence "was", His co-existence "He was with God", His being co-equal "was God". Comparing the opening statement of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (KJV), with "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1 KJV), we see the Word then was. He was never created nor did He then begin to be. John witnessed to a personal being and glory "before the world was" (John 17:5 KJV), and "before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24 KJV), who has been manifested to us. Jesus Christ had an existence before His birth at Bethlehem. He existed before angels and archangels, who are created beings, for He "was" - therefore uncreated. There never was a time when Christ was not. "With God" asserts the distinct personality of the Son in the Godhead. "Was God" places Jesus the Word within the unity of the Godhead in oneness with the Father.

"The Word" (John 1:1 ). The Greek word is "logos", Jesus Christ is the Word. As such He is the essential revealer of the divine being. As the logos Jesus is the one through whom God expressed Himself. Jesus the living Word unveiled God's hidden glory. In Him the Father becomes known, because God has in these last days spoken fully and completely in His Son (Hebrews 1:2 ). We are warned

Hebrews 3:15 "...Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts ..."

John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

Christ the eternal logos is affirmed as the instrument of the eternal counsel and activity of God. "All things", beings, element of things visible or invisible, in heaven, earth, and under the earth. By Him, everything, one by one was made. Nothing was made independently of His co-operation and will. This testimony is to Jesus Christ as the originator of all things (Ephesians 3:9 ). It pleased the Father to bring the old creation into being through the instrumentality of His Son; it also pleased Him that the new creation be "in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

"The Word" was ever life - and the source of life to others. He is the sustainer of life. His was the once for all sacrifice for sin - by which eternal life is given to those who believe.

Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"

2 Timothy 1:10 "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"

He is the way of life (John 14:6 ), promises believers life (John 10:28 ), to which He will raise them up (John 6:40 ), because He has life in Himself.

Christ Jesus is not only the source of life, His life is the light of men (John 1:4 ). He is the creator of the light of the material universe, but He Himself is the light of men. "Light" in John's gospel is the revelation that reveals the life that is in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the light that shows us how to be children of light. To walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-9 ). We are to walk in His goodness, righteousness and truth. Christ Jesus as the light, shines in the darkness (John 1:5 ). He came and lived among us, so did not from afar, shine on the darkness of the world, but in the darkness He said,

John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

John 1:5 "... and the darkness comprehended it not."

This word translated "comprehend" (katalambano) has in the New Testament Greek, undoubtedly the sense of "laying hold with evil intent." In John 12:35, also in 1 Thessalonians 5:4, it is translated "overtake", and in Mark 9:18, "seizes". The darkness did not admit or receive His light, neither did the darkness overcome His light. Resistance proves incapable of dimming the bright shining of His truth.

John (John the baptiser), as to his specific role (John 1:8 ) was simply as a witness to the light. As soon as we become children of light we become sent of God as witnesses to "that light," Christ Jesus.

John 1:11 "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

The Creator was unrecognised by the created (John 1:10 ). Even when He manifested His creative-miracle power, His own knew Him not, and received Him not. The world did not recognise Him, His own people the Jews, His possession, did not receive, they rejected Him. Today Christ is shown to be outside the Laodicean-type Church (Revelation 3:14-22 ). A lukewarm Church is one that compromises with the world that rejects the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. The Lord says, "I stand at the door, and knock" (Revelation 3:20 KJV).

How incredible that Christ should be kept outside His own Church! How gracious that He should still seek entrance! Ryrie

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What was John's intention in omitting a human genealogy? (John 1:1 ).
2. What do you learn from the title 'the Word" about the key role of the second person of the Godhead? (John 1:1 ).
3. The creation is credited to Jesus the Word. What does creation do that the incarnate Word did? (John 1:3: Psalm 19; Colossians 1:15-17 ).
4. Do you know your Saviour Jesus Christ by personal experience as the Creator? (John 1:3; Ephesians 2:10 ).
5. Can you explain the meaning of "The Word" being the source of all life? (John 1:4 ).
6. Where can people confidently focus all their hopes? (John 1:4 ).
7. Is it possible for the powers of darkness, ranged against the light revealed in Jesus, to overcome His light? (John 1:5 ).
8. What was the specific role of John the Baptist? (John 1:8 ).
9. In which way are you expected to testify to 'that light' Jesus Christ? (John 1:7,8 )
10. Do you think it incredible that His own knew Him not, and received Him not? (John 1:11 ).
11. Do you think it more incredible that Christ should be shut out of His own Church? (Revelation 3:14-22 ).