Our Journey Through John’s Gospel 2

John 1:6-14

6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe. 

8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 

9) That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. 

10) He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. 

11)He came unto His own, and His own received him not. 

12) But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: 

13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

  14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

In verse 6 the Apostle John introduces John the Baptist, the one whom the prophet Isaiah spoke about in Isaiah 40:1-8 ; specifically referring to the  man who would be the witness to prepare the people for the Light; the Messiah.   In verse 3 the LORD spoke through Isaiah saying “The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

Verses 7 and 8 John expands and expounds to the people that John the Baptist was NOT the Light, but was sent for the purpose of “bearing witness of the Light…” and that through this Light “all men might believe”.  Interestingly, John did not say that only the chosen of God, the Jewish people, might believe but says “all men”

Then John states the Messiah Jesus is the ... the one and only Light.  Sometimes these small words, like true used here,  get lost when we read the Word of God, however they are obviously important to the LORD God, or He would not have inspired them to be written.  As we study further in John, we will see that Jesus Christ Himself said … ” I am the light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ”  John 8:12

In verse ten, we read John telling us in a similar way what he said in verses 4-5.  Jesus came into the world to bring the light of salvation, He created the world and the world received Him not!  Why?  Because He was the Light, and the people of the world are in darkness and prefer the darkness of their the sin-filled nature.

Then comes the stinger— verse 11 “He came unto His own, and His own received him not.”  Who were His own?   The Jewish people… His own people!  This is quite sad and an extraordinary detail considering the Jews knew the words of the Old Testament prophets very well.  As we study further, it’s made very evident why they didn’t receive Him.

Then comes the “but” in verse 12.  It thrills me every time I see that word in Scripture.  In the English language the word but means:  in contrast to the previous statement.  Wonderfully and joyfully John said ” But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:”.    In the Hebrew, the word here for power means ‘ privilege or the right’. In the margin of my Bible I wrote “WOW!!!”.  We, all people, are given the right or the privilege to become God’s children.  As we progress, this message in announced, confirmed and repeated numerous times in various ways throughout John’s Gospel.

John 1 :13 “ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ”  The “which” here refers back to those who received the Light; believed on His name.  For me, it appears to reference being “born again”.  I say that because as humans we are born willfully when two people engage in the act of intercourse.  John says those who are given the right to become a sons of God, are born of God’s will!  ( see John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,(and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” 

This final verse in our study today reiterates John’s first few words of his Gospel… then refers to the Messiah coming and living among the people as prophesied in the Old Testament.   The parenthetical words “and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only begotten of the Father “ are awe-inspiring!  John was proclaiming that Jesus was the only Son of God!  Exactly as our Lord Jesus said to the questioning Nicodemus in John 3:16!

My prayer is that ‘daily’ you will study the Word.  After all… it is God speaking.  Praise Him for the never-ending mercy, love and grace!  ♥ Streim