“In the beginning was the Word…”
Friends, John doesn’t waste a single syllable. He starts with a cosmic bang: “In the beginning…” Not “Once upon a time,” but “In the beginning…” These are the same words Genesis uses to introduce creation. But here’s the kicker: Jesus wasn’t just there at the beginning—He was the Beginning. He’s the eternal “I AM.”
Let me put it this way: Imagine trying to explain the ocean to a goldfish. That’s us trying to grasp eternity! Jesus has no start date and no expiration. He’s always been “wasing,” as one preacher said—past, present, future, all at once. And get this: He’s not just with God—He is God. Separate in person, united in essence. Mind-blowing, right?
And here’s the clincher: “All things were made through Him.” Every star, every atom, every heartbeat. Scientists say there are 10 octillion stars out there. Know what that number looks like? 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Jesus spoke every single one into being! And He doesn’t just create—He sustains. Colossians says He holds the universe together. Think about that next time your world feels like it’s falling apart.
Henry Ford once had a broken assembly line. None of his engineers could fix it. They called in a genius named Charles Steinmetz, who tinkered for 10 minutes and got it running. Ford got a bill for $10,000—$10 for the tinkering, $9,990 for knowing where to tinker. Church, Jesus isn’t just the Master Engineer—He’s the Designer. He knows exactly where to “tinker” in your life. Trust Him!
2. The Relentless Love of Christ (vv. 4–13)
Scripture: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men…”
Jesus isn’t just the Creator—He’s the Communicator. John calls Him “the Word”—God’s ultimate message to us. And what’s His message? “I love you.” He’s been shouting it since Eden through prophets, miracles, and finally, in flesh.
But here’s the tragedy: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (v. 5). The world He made didn’t recognize Him. His own people rejected Him. Why? Because light exposes what’s hidden. It’s uncomfortable! But here’s the hope: “To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God” (v. 12).
C.S. Lewis once said every person you meet is either a future being of unimaginable glory or a horror. Why? Because in Christ, we’re adopted into God’s family. You’re not just “saved”—you’re a child of the King. That’s your identity!
3. The Never-Ending Grace of Christ (vv. 14–18)
Scripture: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.”
Grace upon grace. That’s the promise. The original Greek says “grace instead of grace”—like waves on the shore, one after another. Luther said it’s like lighting a million candles from one flame. The flame never dims. That’s Jesus’ grace—unlimited, undeserved, unending.
Maybe you’re here today thinking, “I’ve messed up too much.” Hear this: Where sin abounds, grace abounds more (Romans 5:20). Jesus didn’t just pitch a tent among us—He took our sin on His shoulders. And now, He offers grace heaped on grace.
John ends with this: “No one has ever seen God, but the One at the Father’s side has made Him known” (v. 18). Want to know what God’s like? Look at Jesus. The more you know Him, the bigger He gets.
Remember Aslan in Narnia? Lucy says, “You’re bigger!” Aslan replies, “Every year you grow, you’ll find me bigger.” Friends, let’s grow in Christ this year. Let’s marvel at His eternity, lean into His love, and swim in His grace.
Prayer:
Father, open our eyes to see Jesus—bigger, brighter, nearer. Help us trust the Creator who holds the stars and our struggles. Receive anyone here who’s ready to say “yes” to His light. In Jesus’ name, amen.
