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John 1:1-34: The Word, the Witness, and the Lamb

An exploration of the prologue of John's Gospel, focusing on the divine nature of Jesus, the testimony of John the Baptist, and the revelation of grace and truth.

1. The Divine Identity of the Word

1.1 The Eternal Word

Verses: John 1:1
  • The Word existed before creation.
  • The Word was with God, emphasizing relationship and distinction.
  • The Word was God, affirming deity.

1.2 The Agent of Creation

Verses: John 1:3
  • All things were made through Him, highlighting His role in creation.
  • Without Him, nothing was made that has been made, emphasizing His necessity.

2. The Testimony of John the Baptist

2.1 Life and Light

Verses: John 1:4-5
  • In Him was life, and that life was the light of mankind, connecting life and light to the Word.
  • The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it, showing the power of the light.

2.2 The Witness of John

Verses: John 1:6-8
  • John was sent by God to bear witness of the Light.
  • He was not the Light, but came to testify about it, clarifying his role.

3. The Light Comes to the World

3.1 The World's Rejection

Verses: John 1:9-10
  • The true Light gives light to everyone, emphasizing universality.
  • He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him, highlighting rejection.

3.2 Reception and Rejection

Verses: John 1:11-13
  • He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him, showing specific rejection by His people.
  • But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, emphasizing the opportunity for believers.

4. The Word Made Flesh

4.1 The Incarnation

Verses: John 1:14
  • The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, showing incarnation.
  • We have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth, emphasizing divine glory and character.

4.2 John's Continued Testimony

Verses: John 1:15-16
  • John testified about Him, proclaiming that He who comes after him is preferred because He was before him, affirming pre-existence.
  • From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace, highlighting the abundance of blessings.

4.3 Grace and Truth

Verses: John 1:17-18
  • The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, contrasting the old and new covenants.
  • No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, He has made Him known, emphasizing Jesus as the revealer of God.

5. John's Final Testimony

5.1 John's Humility

Verses: John 1:19-28
  • John confessed he was not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, clarifying his identity.
  • He baptized with water, but One would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, contrasting his baptism with the greater baptism to come.

5.2 The Lamb of God

Verses: John 1:29-34
  • John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared Him to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, identifying Jesus's sacrificial role.
  • He testified that the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove and remained on Him, confirming Jesus's anointing.