SS Lesson December 24th

SS Lesson December 24^th, 2006 John 1(1-18)

The Gospel of John (from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

This Gospel was probably written at Ephesus about A.D. 78. (Canon Cook places it toward the close of John’s life, A.D. 90-100. --ED.) The Gospel was obviously addressed primarily to Christians, not to heathen. There can be little doubt that the main object of St. John, who wrote after the other evangelists, is to supplement their narratives, which were almost confined to our Lord’s life in Galilee. (It was the Gospel for the Church, to cultivate and cherish the spiritual life of Christians, and bring them into the closest relations to the divine Saviour. It gives the inner life and teachings of Christ as revealed to his disciples. Nearly two-thirds of the whole book belong to the last six months of our Lord’s life, and one-third is the record of the last week. --ED.) The following is an abridgment of its contents: A. The Prologue. ch. ( John 1:1-18) B. The History, ch. ( John 1:19; John 20:29) (a) Various events relating to our Lord’s ministry, narrated in connection with seven journeys, ch. ( John 1:19; John 12:50)

First journey, into Judea, and beginning of his ministry, ch. ( John 1:19; John 2:12)
Second journey, at the passover in the first year of his ministry, ch. ( John 2:13; John 4:1)
Third journey, in the second year of his ministry, about the passover, ch. (5:1).
Fourth journey, about the passover, in the third year of his ministry, beyond Jordan, ch. ( John 6:1)
Fifth journey, six months before his death, begun at the feast of tabernacles, chs. ( John 7:1; John 10:21)
Sixth journey, about the feast of dedication, ch. ( John 10:22-42)
Seventh journey, in Judea towards Bethany, ch. ( John 11:1-54)
Eighth journey, before his last passover, chs. ( John 11:55; John 12:1) (b) History of the death of Christ, chs. ( John 12:1; John 20:29)
Preparation for his passion, chs. John 13:1 ... John 17:1
The circumstances of his passion and death, chs. ( John 18:1; 19:1)
His resurrection, and the proofs of it, ch. ( John 20:1-29) C. The Conclusion , ch. ( John 20:30; John 21:1)
Scope of the foregoing history, ch. ( John 20:30,31)
Confirmation of the authority of the evangelist by additional historical facts, and by the testimony of the elders of the Church, ch. ( John 21:1-24)
Reason of the termination of the history, ch. ( John 21:25)

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In the beginning

We have dealt with this concept in the last two lessons, so I won’t dwell on it again except to say that the Bible is constant with the assertion that Jesus Christ is the first begotten from the Father. He is before all things. He is the creator of all things. Suffice it to say that the Bible asserts that Jesus Christ is God. It has become popular in modern Christianity to claim that Jesus never claimed deity, but only tried to change society politically. This is hogwash. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. It was this claim which was the basis for his crucifixion. His apostles clearly made the claim that Jesus is God. If you are ever going to be born again you need to believe and confess the same thing. I proclaim to you plainly; Jesus is the Son of God. Accept it and be saved today!

Logos

The word translated “word” in this verse is the Greek “logos.” The literal meaning of logos is the spoken word. It developed a much deeper meaning. Words are expressions of our inner thoughts, thus “logos” came to not only mean word, but also reasoning, utterance, knowledge, and rationality. The philosopher Descartes tried to give light to this concept with his famous quotation: “I think therefore I am.” He is saying that his thoughts reveal the true him. Words are the expression of what our mind can conceive. To explain what John meant by this I must give you a short lesson on rhetoric. Heraclitus in about 500 BC first expressed with this idea of logos; it was more clearly defined by Aristotle in the 4^th century B.C. Aristotle defined 3 “modes of persuasion. They are called ethos, pathos, and logos. Every attempt to convince someone of an idea or to persuade someone of a cause involves the use of these principles. Ethos means to persuade by appealing to the character of the speaker. When ethos is being used a speaker tries to convince by persuading the listener that he is qualified to be making the statement thus adding weight to the argument. Pathos is appealing to the listeners emotions. Pathos is not connected to the rational at all, but seeks to appeal to the desires, fears, prejudices, or ideas of the listener. The impassioned speech written by Shakespeare in the play “Julius Caesar” (below) is an example of this. Mark Antony’s character is recorded to say that the stab from the knife of Caesar’s friend Brutus is the “unkindest cut of all.” Logos or reasoning would tell us that all the cuts were equally damaging. Pathos tells us that the cut from the knife of a friend and trusted acquaintance hurt the worst. Christ is not defined as ethos or pathos, but as logos. He is what reveals the character and power of God. He is the very rational thought of God. He makes God reasonable and expresses the logic of God. He is the creator or definer of God’s creation. The same word is translated word in Matthew 12:37: “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Words are not actions, but they condemn or justify us because they reveal our true mind and inner being. I know this is deep and somewhat confusiong, but I pray I have shed some light on this for you. Let me give you one more piece of Scripture to express what this is saying. John 14:7-9 “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?”

Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through;
See what a rent the envious Casca made;
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd,
And as he pluck'd his cursed steel away,
Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it,
As rushing out of doors to be resolv'd
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd or no;
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov'd him!
This was the most unkindest cut of all;
—Shakespeare, Julius Caesar 3.2.174-183

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

Life

The Greek word translated “life” is “zoe.” It means much more than being alive. The word means to live life to the fullest. It means a life that is real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, and blessed. It is a life without fear of condemnation. It is the life God intended for human beings. The concept is illuminated in this verse: John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The abundant life that Christ wants you to have is “zoe.” You can be alive physically without the Lord, but you cannot understand “zoe” without knowing Christ as your saviour. It is the natural result of knowing Christ. It cannot be achieved any other way.

1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Not understanding

The unregenerate world has never and will never understand the things of God. Notice this verse from 1^st Corinthians2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually DISCERNED.” When a man is convicted of his sins by the Holy Spirit and the spark of saving faith is imparted into his heart, then he is eligible to be saved. Some say they will get saved whenever they want, but that is not true. We must be saved when the Spirit of God is calling us. No man seeks Him by their own initiative. They are called to His side by the Holy Spirit of God. This is why your co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends who are not saved cannot understand you. They cannot grasp why you put forth the effort required to attend church. They don’t understand your music or lifestyle. They can’t comprehend the cause of your joy. The only way for them to understand is to hear the Word of God preached and experience Him for themselves.

1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John the Baptist

The focus of this Chapter changes here for a moment. The writer had been speaking about Jesus to this point, but now he begins to explain the role of John the Baptist. For those just starting to read the Bible, the Apostle John and John the Baptist are two different people. John the Baptist was born with the mission of being the forerunner of Jesus Christ. It was his job to announce the arrival of the King. I feel our mission today is very similar. The Christian needs to be telling the world that the King is coming. We need to be ready to meet Him. We, like John, are not the light, but our job is to reflect that light to a lost and dying world.

John the Baptist
was of the priestly race by both parents, for his father, Zacharias, was himself a priest of the course of Abia or Abijah, ( 1 Chronicles 24:10) and Elisabeth was of the daughters of Aaron. ( Luke 1:5) His birth was foretold by an angel sent from God, and is related at length in Luke 1. The birth of John preceded by six months that of our Lord. John was ordained to be a Nazarite from his birth. ( Luke 1:15) Dwelling by himself in the wild and thinly-peopled region westward of the Dead Sea, he prepared himself for the wonderful office to which he had been divinely called. His dress was that of the old prophets --a garment woven of camel’s hair, ( 2 Kings 1:8) attached to the body by a leathern girdle. His food was such as the desert afforded --locusts, ( Leviticus 11:22) and wild honey. ( Psalms 81:16) And now the long-secluded hermit came forth to the discharge of his office. His supernatural birth, his life, and the general expectation that some great one was about to appear, were sufficient to attract to him a great multitude from "every quarter." ( Matthew 3:5) Many of every class pressed forward to confess their sins and to be baptized. Jesus himself came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of John. [ JESUS] >From incidental notices we learn that John and his disciples continued to baptize some time after our Lord entered upon his ministry. See ( John 3:23; 4:1; Acts 19:3) We gather also that John instructed his disciples in certain moral and religious duties, as fasting, ( Matthew 9:14; Luke 5:33) and prayer. ( Luke 11:1) But shortly after he had given his testimony to the Messiah, John’s public ministry was brought to a close. In daring disregard of the divine laws, Herod Antipas had taken to himself Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; and when John reproved him for this, as well as for other sins, ( Luke 3:19) Herod cast him into prison. (March, A.D. 28.) The place of his confinement was the castle of Machaerus, a fortress on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. It was here that reports reached him of the miracles which our Lord was working in Judea. Nothing but the death of the Baptist would satisfy the resentment of Herodias. A court festival was kept at Machaerus in honor of the king’s birthday. After supper the daughter of Herodias came in and danced the king by her grace that he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask. Salome, prompted by her abandoned mother, demanded the head of John the Baptist. Herod gave instructions to an officer of his guard, who went and executed John in the prison, and his head was brought to feast the eyes of the adulteress whose sins he had denounced. His death is supposed to have occurred just before the third passover, in the course of the Lord’s ministry. (March, A.D. 29.)

1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

The true light

The purpose of light is to make it possible for us to view something hidden or in a darkened state. Notice Jesus did not only enlighten those who would be believers, but he “lighteth” every man that cometh into the world. Atheists may vehemently disagree, but Jesus Christ has affected every strata of human existence. The conscience of man which instructs him to right and wrong is from Christ. That conscience can be warped by evil experiences and refusal to obey the directives of God, but in its intended form is beneficial to human life. When the conscience is defiled we bring forth sociopaths and serial killers. How do most folks know that murder, thievery, and other such things are wrong? We are born with this knowledge. It is within our natural mind. It is the result of design by the creator. Have you ever wondered how horrible this world would be without the light of God? It would be an inhospitable, uninhabitable place.

1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Rejected by the beneficiaries

Jesus came to this world to die for sinners. This concept was revealed in Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall SAVE his people from their sins.” It was no secret; Jesus came to die for sinners. Those very folks who were to receive the blessings of forgiveness by His sacrificial death mocked and scorned Him while He was dying. Many sinners today are similarly inclined. They mock our Lord, and it is He alone who holds the hope for them to avoid an eternity in Hell. He came unto His own (the Jewish people) and they also rejected Him. This is the impetus for Isaiah describing Him as a man of sorrows. He was rejected by His own nation. He was crucified by the hands of Gentiles who would be given the opportunity for salvation by Him. He was mocked by the leaders of the church where He was to be worshipped. He was abandoned by His own disciples. He suffered it all “because He loved me!”

1:12 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:1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Over comers

Yes, it is sad to think of those who refused Him, and those who still do, but there is good news. Everyone who accepted Him then, or who accepts Him now, will be saved. There are not enough devils in Hell to prevent a seeker from receiving salvation. It is promised to all who call upon the Lord by the Holy Scriptures. When they call upon His name they are converted from their sins and become Sons of God. They are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. They are adopted into the family of God. They have a blood right to that eternal city.

1:14 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.

The incarnation

This the Christmas story in a nutshell. The “logos” Word of God was made flesh and came and dwelt upon this earth to save His people from their sin. He allowed mankind to behold His glory and to examine his goodness. 2000 years later no honest inquisitor can find any fault in Him. His words are gracious; His actions righteous. There is no sin or imperfection in His legacy. He is God’s darling, the Prince of Peace, the eternal Son of God, and most of all, my Saviour!. I owe my life to Him. I have cast my lot with Him. What about you? Have you trusted Him as your Saviour? If you are feeling right now the inner voice that says “you need to accept Me?” Please do so right now!

1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John’s witness

John the Baptist was informed by God that the Messiah was coming and would be revealed to him by the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Him in the likeness of a dove. John recognized Him. He proclaimed in John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the LAMB of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John recognized the superiority of Jesus and confessed the same. He was willing to subjugate himself to the Lord. John recognized Jesus was “before” him in every way. He was before Him chronologically and in rank in the Kingdom of God. He is above all.

1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Fullness

The idea of fullness is the blessings which come from a relationship with Jesus Christ which is filled with the presence, power, completeness, and riches of God and of Christ. Jesus came to bless all of creation. He has richly fulfilled His mission. He has made life worthwhile for countless billions. He is my all in all.

Grace for grace

The word translated grace here means that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will, loving-kindness, favor, and is the result of Christ exerting His influence upon our lives. Grace for grace means grace on top of grace. God just keeps on pouring His blessings upon His children. He gets better and better. There is an old Southern gospel song which proclaims it gets “Sweeter as the days go by.” How true that song is! The longer I know Him the better I love Him. You will to! Draw close to God and He will draw close to you. He will give your life joy and purpose! The last verse of this lesson is a great one. No man hath seen God at any time with the natural eye, but if you want to know about God, just look at the Son. Jesus revealed the intentions and character of God. He is merciful and longsuffering. Thanks be to God for this wonderful section of Scripture. May God bless and comfort your heart this week with His Word.

New American Standard Version of the Bible (for commentary purposes only)

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. ⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ⁶ There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. ⁹ There was the true Light which , coming into the world, enlightens every man. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. ¹¹ He came to His own , and those who were His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who 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 became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me. 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

The Island of Patmos

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