The introduction to the gospel of John known as the Prologue serves as a table of contents for the entire Gospel, foreshadowing key themes and events. John’s Gospel is distinct in its Christology, offering a theological rather than a traditional Christmas story. It emphasizes Jesus as eternal, one with the Father, the agent of creation, and the ultimate revelation of God.
But the most striking feature of the prologue is the term “Word” (Logos) used to describe Jesus. Unlike the other titles for Jesus in the prologue, “Word” is not used again in the Gospel or the New Testament, except in Revelation. This term encapsulates three significant Old Testament concepts: the creative power of God, God’s self-revelation, and God’s deliverance. Jesus embodies these aspects, being the agent of creation, the ultimate revelation of God, and the deliverer who steps into time and space to save humanity.
The creative power of God is evident in Jesus’ miracles, such as healing the nobleman’s son with just a word. The concept of revelation is fulfilled in Jesus, who makes the Father known. The idea of deliverance is seen in the Incarnation and the crucifixion, where Jesus steps into history to save us from our sins.
John’s choice to call Jesus the “Word” is profound. It captures the essence of Jesus’ identity and mission, reflecting the eternal triune God’s creative, revealing, and delivering nature. This understanding challenges us to see Jesus not only as the Word in the past and future but also in our present lives. Jesus continues to reveal, create, and deliver today, making Him relevant in our daily walk of faith.
The following sermon was preached at the First Baptist Church of Benbrook on July 28, 2024
Five Day Devotional Guide Based Upon the Sermon
Day 1: The Prologue as a Table of Contents
The prologue of John’s Gospel functions as a table of contents, foreshadowing key themes and events. Each line in the prologue is echoed later in the Gospel, emphasizing Jesus’ identity and mission. This structure invites us to see the interconnectedness of Scripture and the consistency of Jesus’ message throughout the Gospel. The prologue sets the stage for understanding Jesus as the eternal Word, the light of humanity, and the one who brings grace and truth. It is a profound introduction that encapsulates the essence of the entire Gospel narrative.
By recognizing the prologue as a table of contents, we are encouraged to delve deeper into the Gospel of John with an awareness of its overarching themes. This perspective helps us appreciate the deliberate structure and theological depth of John’s writing. As we read through the Gospel, we can see how each event and teaching of Jesus aligns with the themes introduced in the prologue, enriching our understanding of His divine mission and identity.
John 1:1-3 (ESV): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Reflection: How does viewing the prologue as a table of contents change your approach to reading the Gospel of John? What themes do you notice in the prologue that you can look for as you read through the Gospel?
Day 2: Christology in John’s Prologue
John’s prologue offers a high Christology, presenting Jesus as eternal, one with the Father, and the agent of creation. This theological introduction helps us understand the significance of Jesus’ birth, life, and mission. It challenges us to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is and the profound implications of His divinity and humanity. The prologue emphasizes that Jesus is not merely a historical figure but the eternal Word who existed before creation and through whom all things were made.
This high Christology invites us to reflect on the nature of Jesus and His relationship with the Father. It calls us to recognize the divine authority and power of Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man. As we contemplate the profound truths of the prologue, we are encouraged to worship Jesus with a deeper sense of awe and reverence, acknowledging His eternal nature and His role in the divine plan of salvation.
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as eternal and one with the Father impact your view of His authority and role in your life? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 3: Jesus as the Word
The term “Word” (Logos) used by John to describe Jesus encapsulates the creative power, revelation, and deliverance of God. This unique title highlights Jesus’ role in creation, His revelation of the Father, and His deliverance of humanity. It invites us to see Jesus as the ultimate expression of God’s nature and mission. The concept of the Word connects Jesus to the Old Testament themes of God’s creative power, self-revelation, and deliverance, making Him the fulfillment of these divine actions.
By calling Jesus the Word, John emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate communication of God to humanity. He is the living Word who reveals the Father’s heart and will. This understanding challenges us to see Jesus not only as a historical figure but as the ongoing revelation of God in our lives. It encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with Him, recognizing that through Jesus, we come to know the Father and experience His saving grace.
Hebrews 1:1-3 (ESV): “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
Reflection: In what ways can you seek to know Jesus more deeply as the Word of God? How can you allow His revelation to transform your understanding of God and His will for your life?
Day 4: The Creative Power of Jesus
Jesus’ miracles, such as healing with a word, demonstrate His creative power, echoing God’s creation by His word in Genesis. This power over creation underscores Jesus’ divine authority and invites us to trust in His ability to intervene in our lives. It reminds us that Jesus’ word is powerful and effective, capable of bringing about change and healing. The miracles recorded in the Gospel of John serve as signs that reveal Jesus’ divine nature and His authority over all creation.
Reflecting on the creative power of Jesus encourages us to have faith in His ability to work in our lives today. Just as He spoke and brought healing and restoration in the past, He continues to speak into our circumstances with the same authority and power. This understanding invites us to bring our needs and challenges to Jesus, trusting that His word can bring about transformation and renewal in our lives.
Psalm 33:6-9 (ESV): “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”
Reflection: What areas of your life need the creative power of Jesus’ word? How can you invite Him to speak into those areas and bring about change and healing?
Day 5: Revelation and Deliverance
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, making the Father known, and the deliverer who steps into history to save us. This dual role challenges us to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, recognizing Him as the source of truth and salvation. It encourages us to trust in His ongoing work of revelation and deliverance in our lives today. Through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the heart of the Father and provides the way for us to be reconciled to God.
Understanding Jesus as both the revelation and deliverer invites us to respond to His call to follow Him. It challenges us to seek His truth and allow His teachings to shape our lives. Additionally, it encourages us to trust in His saving work, knowing that He has the power to deliver us from sin and its consequences. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we experience the fullness of His revelation and the freedom that comes from His deliverance.
1 Peter 1:18-21 (ESV): “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
Reflection: How can you seek a deeper relationship with Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God? In what ways can you trust in His deliverance and allow His truth to transform your life?