In John 1, John establishes the identity of Jesus in verse 1 as the creator of all things. John establishes that Jesus is the Word by which all that exists was created. He writes in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2). John’s words echo Genesis 1 and are affirmed in Col. 1:15 in order to establish Jesus as creator. Colossians 1:15 states, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

The book of John was the last of the gospels to be recorded, the second to last book written next to John’s last recorded book, “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” At the point John was writing, his audience would have likely been second and third generation Christians in the church. These believers would have begun to understand that the Millennial Kingdom was not just around the corner like they previously thought. John’s gospel would have been preparing them for what would become a rather lengthy church age, the age we are still in today.

Prior to Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection, the Jews did not understand that the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah would also be the conquering King. They would have understood those descriptions in the Old Testament as describing two different people. Many Jews today are still awaiting the arrival of Messiah, falsely believing that he hasn’t yet come, and don’t see that the crucified man, Jesus, is also Messiah who will come again as the conquering King.

One day at the end of tribulation all remaining Jews will recognize Christ as the suffering servant, the Messiah which they crucified, and that will be the catalyst by which Jesus, conquering king, return la and the Millennial Kingdom is finally ushered in.

But, at this point, John would have known what the other four gospels said and would have known that His gospel would need to establish Jesus as creator God, redeemer, and coming conquering King. So he does this by establishing the following themes throughout his book: light and darkness, born again -spiritual rebirth as a result of faith in Christ, the incarnation, creator and eternal -one with the father, and the fullness of God in flesh living among men.

Through these themes, John establishes a message to believers of encouragement for abiding in Christ. He establishes that Jesus is still shepherding through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Though there are several omissions from the book of John that can be found in the other gospels, such as the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, in place are deep spiritual truths that culminate in the understanding that through a continued, active pursuit of Christ our faith will be strengthened to endure any hardship or trial we may experience during this age.

What our overcomer, Jesus, accomplished on the cross is divine grace in action. It is not something that, in our humanness, we can fully understand. As a result, we have a tendency to fall victim to the lie that because Jesus is God that he was less human.

The scriptures make it clear that Jesus was fully man. Romans 1:3 tells us, “concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was subject to the same ailments that we experience on a daily basis. He experienced hunger, fear, sadness, and joy. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that during His life He experienced every single facet of humanity. The author of Hebrews tells us, “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (4:12) Jesus endured the cross and experienced it just as you or I would.

But, the scripture is clear that He is also fully God. Jesus, defending His divine authority in John 8:58 declares, “Most Assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” The Jews to whom Jesus was speaking would have known this reference to YHWH or Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, of Abraham and Jacob. Jesus’ declaration mirrors YHWH’s reply to Moses when he asked God from the burning bush, “who do I tell them sent me,” referring to the Israelites in captivity in Egypt upon his commissioning to go to Pharoh and declare God’s command to release His people. YHWH, the LORD God answered Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14). John MacArthur explains, “this name for God points to His self-existence and externality. It denotes “I am the One who is and will be.” Jesus” declaration affirms His complete divine authority as one of the three members of the Godhead trinity.

A continued pursuit of Christ amidst a sometimes disheartening world will only result in the ability to endure the race He has set before us. His was the word at the beginning, He established the earth, He is actively involved by the power of the Holy Spirit in all of our interactions from where He is seated at the right hand of God. During this advent season choose to take comfort in the knowledge that the suffering servant who bore our stripes is also our conquering king, and is coming back to abolish death, disease, and to make all things new.

John uses the metaphor, “light,” to speak of Jesus’ presence in contrast to the darkness of the world. Tomorrow we’ll begin unraveling this metaphor.

“Thank you, Father, for the ability to freely pursue your word. I pray, for each of us pursuing you this holiday season, that we would come to a more full understanding, awe, and appreciation of who you are and that you would be glorified by this pursuit.” We love you, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.”