JOHN 1: 1-19...
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.
What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His existence in the beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Word was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not any thing made that was made, from the highest angel to the meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work of our redemption and salvation.
The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not.
Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behold this Light, that we may walk in it; and thus be made wise unto salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ.
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.
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.
John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. Nothing more fully shows the darkness of men's minds, than that when the Light had appeared, there needed a witness to call attention to it. Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to be called so. By his Spirit and grace he enlightens all that are enlightened to salvation; and those that are not enlightened by him, perish in darkness.
All the children of God are born again. This new birth is through the word of God as the means, 1Pe 1:23, and by the Spirit of God as the Author. By his Divine presence Christ always was in the world. But now that the fullness of time was come, he was, after another manner, God manifested in the flesh. But observe the beams of his Divine glory, which darted through this veil of flesh. Men discover their weaknesses to those most familiar with them, but it was not so with Christ; those most intimate with him saw most of his glory.
Although he was in the form of a servant, as to outward circumstances, yet, in respect of graces, his form was like the Son of God His Divine glory appeared in the holiness of his doctrine, and in his miracles. He was full of grace, fully acceptable to his Father, therefore qualified to plead for us; and full of truth, fully aware of the things he was to reveal.
The law of God is holy, just, and good; and we should make the proper use of it. But we cannot derive from it pardon, righteousness, or strength. It teaches us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, but it cannot supply the place of that doctrine. As no mercy comes from God to sinners but through Jesus Christ, no man can come to the Father but by him; no man can know God, except as he is made known in the only begotten and beloved Son.
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