In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- When is the “beginning?” – Was it creation? Was it the “bang?” Was it you in the goo? It doesn’t matter where you place the time marker, God was there. He was in the beginning.
- Who is the Word? – JESUS! We know this because of Rev. 19:11-13. It would be entirely within the meaning of this verse to read it as follows: “In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God.” Jesus = God. The ‘Word” or “logos” is a name given to God, to Jesus the 3rd person of the Godhead.
- Why is this important? – As we discussed in the last post, one of the main purposes that John has in his gospel is to establish the deity of Christ. If Jesus Christ was not God, then He has no power to save or redeem. If, however, He was God, as He claimed with words and proclaimed through His actions, then every man and woman must choose whom they will serve, the gods/idols of this age or the one true and living God who came, suffered bearing the sin of the whole world, died, was buried in a tomb and on the third day, rose again (the tomb is still empty today).
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.
—- Moses (Deut. 30:19-20)
