John 1 | The Word Became Flesh | Part 2

Scripture in bold from Bible Gateway

Alongside Study by Kathleen Dalton
Rephrased/personal application in plain text

1 In the beginning was the Word,  and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In the beginning God ‘spoke’ things into existence. The Word of God is powerful and evidence. John is writing this chapter. He is the one calling God the word. Indicates the power of speaking the word.

2 He was with God in the beginning.

I’ve never noticed the “HE” was with God in the beginning. This is referencing the trinity. He as in Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit was with God in the beginning because they are all one in the same.

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

God’s word created and/or brought life to everything.

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

In God was/is the life that transcends/creates/fills the light of understanding in every creature. In him and is word is all that you need to bring life and light to everything.

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The light shines within and throughout. Light will always remove/overpower darkness.

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

John the Baptist was chosen/sent to “pave the way” and introduce the coming of Jesus. He doesn’t actually meet John the Disciple until later in this Chapter. (This book is written by John the Disciple.) I always thought that they were the same person. Throughout the book of John, all references to that name are pointing to John the Baptist. 

7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 

John came as a witness to testify about God so that we all believe.

Again, reminding us of the power of speaking the word and life, testifying against sin/death/the world and for God/life/light. The power of words.

8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

We are just vessels of the light. To share it, to give it. We don’t create it or need to add/remove anything to/from it.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 

Jesus is coming! And The Word, His scripture, his messages, His life is for everyone, not just the chosen (contrary to “predestination”).

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 

Jesus/God was in the world and though the world was made by him, the people in the world, couldn’t/didn’t see him.

This reminds me of In John 20:10-18  Jesus had risen from the dead. My commentary says that "Mary didn't recognize Jesus at first. Her grief had blinded her; she couldn't see him because she didn't expect to see him. Then he spoke her name and immediately she recognized him.” That reminds me of the first few times that I heard God speak.  They were such significantly different experiences from my normal day to day. There was no doubt that it was for me and the conviction behind it was nothing that I could have brought on myself. I didn’t know if I’d recognize him. I didn’t know if he spoke. I didn’t know if I’d hear him. Then suddenly, I did.

11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

He was always right there, as a part of his creation but not everyone chooses to acknowledge that. Just because he created man, doesn’t mean that man will want to be a part of him.

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 

The ones who do choose to acknowledge him, will have the power/ability to have a relationship with him.

Not just acknowledging him but believing him. When you believe God, you become compelled and almost discontented with your previous lifestyle and choices, you will want his desired relationship instead. You will choose his correction as a father to a child, over your “free” lifestyle.

The word “Receive” means to allow him to be life changing. To submit.

13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

He will become your father. Maybe not by the normal birth process or even adoption- and I love that it says, it’s not “just a decision”.

We become “Born again” by spirit (water baptism is just a symbol of public profession – still significant but not life changing.)

God created both births. One into the world and one into the spirit. My commentary says “Being born makes you physically alive and places you in your parents family. Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and places you in God’s family.”

Both will have growing pains as you learn/grow in each new way. Both will have challenges but as part of growth to overcome where you’ve been. But both will allow you to communicate regularly and often with your family.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God became Man (Jesus). God has dwelt with us as Jesus and is dwelling as the Holy Spirit.

My commentary from the Study says “When you think about it, it is especially hard to be full of both grace and truth. Usually it is more one than the other. Either you are way to merciful and let people get away with things they shouldn’t or you are way to legalistic and never give anyone any “wiggle room” for their imperfections. But Jesus was both – full of grace- and full of truth. The perfect Man. (Study Pg 15)

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)

John had a testimony. He testified to introduce Jesus.

That last line that I wrote is an awkward line for me. I started writing [the blog] to force myself to share my own testimony. I was never comfortable talking about God. Maybe not even talking publicly and I just had to decide to do it. Even as I blog I struggle with feeling like I talk too much about myself. I know it’s a comparison that I shouldn’t make [brought on by the devil] but I look to preachers and other people that “share God” and I think to myself, “they write to others, you write about you”. Yet when I try to be “general” or not so personal [not using my own examples and/or testimony instead of just doctrine] people can’t seem to follow me. It seems like my “paraphrasing” becomes a riddle to others.

The truth is, I am not a preacher or anyone else. I am me. I have a terrible memory and what “doctrine” I do know is often quickly forgotten. Even my own experiences are forgotten almost as quickly as they came. Yet I have come to know and truly believe not only that there is a God but to also believe God. None of which started until I was willing to have a testimony. I know that John had more ‘inside’ knowledge, but the use of the word “testified” free’s me up so much to just let it go. Testify only to what you know to be true. (Except that I will have to read it a lot because it’s an ongoing battle.)

I also often think about how to explain how God speaks because for so long, I didn’t think that he did or at least not that often. My response in this last verse, is just one of the many examples of how God speaks in my life. It’s not audible. It’s doesn’t come with a burning bush and a cloud. Yet God is presently speaking to my heart in such a real way, using his written word and only two simply words “John testified”. -In a way that only God can do, it delivers a personal message that just triggers conviction but unfolds power and freedom in my heart.

This whole blog thing is incredibly important to my walk because it allows me to time to reflect and apply but also to go back and find it later when I have forgotten. And I [rebuking the devil] have to trust that God might somehow be able to use my testimony as well for the good of others.

If God wants me to share doctrine like a preacher, he will work that out in me in time but we just have to start where we are and allow ourselves draw closer to him and he will draw closer to us [changing and revealing more] in time.

Finally, in verse 13 where it says it’s not just a decision. It wasn’t just deciding to start talking that grants me a testimony, there is a [continuous] handing over that allows him to work and whittle in order to give me one. I hope that doesn’t sound boastful because WE all have to give up something in order to get what he wants to give to us, in us.

16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

Continuing where my last response left off. It is out of the fullness that he puts in us, that we receive that grace.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

We read the scripture, just like Moses gave the law in the 10 commandments. It is law for us.  But all of it and any part of it is used by God to deliver grace and truth. It’s startling how much that repeats my earlier statement- Reading God’s word “triggers conviction [truth] but unfolds power and freedom [grace] in my heart.”

Another note: that is why reading scripture is so important. I might not think that I remember so much because I don’t repeat it verbatim but it resurfaces again later when I need direction.  That’s why you have to put it in, even when you think you aren’t getting it or aren’t satisfied with it. Don’t stop consuming.

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Referencing the Trinity. Parts of him are hidden while others are revealed.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 

Funny. Here’s that word testimony again but watch what else it repeats but follow it loosely. I couldn’t help but find the irony.

20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

This scripture shows that John was acknowledging that he wasn’t God. [Truth]

While clearly you and I aren’t God either, didn’t I also say earlier that I was worried about not being a particular “level or type of messenger”.  You and I don’t have to know everything either. We’re free to be ourselves and just speak truth. [Grace]

 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

Elijah was a known and trusted prophet. (Mainly mentioned in 1^st Kings 17-19) This verse continues the same sentiment that we don’t have to have a particular preaching or prophetic style. John was not God. He wasn’t Elijah or any particular kind prophet. He was John.

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

No matter who you are or how good you are at being you, you will still be questioned and others will still question God.

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,(AL) ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[d](AM)

First and foremost, when questioned about his integrity, he didn’t stumble for answers. He simply used [repeated] scripture to answer for him. (Checkout Isaiah 40:3-5)

We are all Heathens in the wilderness. God calls to us in that wilderness to use our voice to testify [revealing and introducing] and make way for him.

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

Because we believe.

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

1 Timothy 1:15 says There’s a passage in Timothy that says “of Sinners I am the worst”.

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Please note: There are verses 29-50 in this chapter. I may or may not post about those later.

Intro | Part 3

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