John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
When did Jesus come into existence? We know the little baby, Jesus, was
conceived in the womb of a virgin named Mary. We know His literal body was born
into this world a little over 2000 years ago. We have the account of His
conception of the Holy Ghost and birth in Bethlehem. We rejoice in these great truths that Jesus, our Saviour, was
born. Many in that day believed him to be Joseph's son. He was called the
son of the carpenter. He was called the Prophet from Nazareth. He was perceived
as being a good man who went about doing good. He was perceived by others as a
trouble maker who was trying to overthrow the government. People had many
different ideas concerning this One born to Mary.
We are blessed to be able to look at this Jesus by way of the empty tomb and
the empty cross. We are able to examine His life through the eyes of men who
wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Men who had interactions with Him on a
daily basis. We are able to see the truth before we ever see the man, Jesus.
But if our understanding of Jesus stops at that manger in Bethlehem, or even if
our understanding stops at His conception in Mary's womb... we do not have the
complete picture of this One named Jesus.
When John speaks of "the beginning," he is not speaking of the events
I just mentioned concerning the birth of Jesus. He is taking us all the way
back to THE BEGINNING. "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the
earth." Yes, this One we call Jesus was there "in the
beginning." John is very specific in explaining to us that "all
things were made by him" - this Living Word. Why is this important
for us to understand? Why can we not just stop with the sweet story of
His birth in Bethlehem? Why can we not just stop with the stories of angels
singing and shepherds clinging and kings bringing? Those are nice accounts of
actions that took place, but if that was all there was to the story - it just
wouldn't be enough.
Yes, Jesus, the Living Word was there in the beginning when God said, "Let
us make...." (Genesis 1:26). That cute baby in Bethlehem was the Son of
God, the Living Word, come to earth. As the Son of man, He is able to identify
with our hardships and disappointments. As the Son of God, He is able to help
us through those difficult times. As the Son of man, He was able to be made sin
though He committed no sin. He was able to have your sin and my sin placed upon
Him. As the Son of God, His blood was sufficient to pay the wages of sin that
you and I owed. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
(John 1:4) He gave life through His death. He gave release from bondage
of sin through His resurrection. He gave assurance of our home in heaven
through His ascension.
Next time we will look at the meaning of the word, "Word." May
the Lord bless you.