“In the beginning….” sounds like going back to the start  – a bit like a TV show where we get to see a previous scene again, but this time from a different angle or from a different character’s point of view.

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcomeit.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Here we see that Jesus was there at the beginning as Creator of all things. Not only that, but he was light for all mankind. Here we get the hint that Jesus has come not only for the exiled Jewish people – that which was his own – but for anyone who would receive him. That means you and me! And those who receive him will become children of God – not as a part of a line of Abraham’s descendants but by being born of God himself!

Here we see the ending of the exile. Here we see Jesus becoming flesh and making his dwelling amongst us. God is now with us.

Grace and truth have come through Jesus. The law came through Moses. It showed us how to live but it also showed us how far short of living up to it we fall. Grace is needed. 

Jesus is also the light. In the beginning God said ‘let there be light’. When the kingdom is complete in Revelation there is no need for a sun to give light as Jesus is that light in a more fulsome way than John is imagining here.

Let’s rejoice in this new beginning of Jesus entering the world he made to save it through his life, death and resurrection. Let’s live in the light of Jesus this very day.

Head:  What does it mean to you that Jesus is the light of all humankind, not just Christians?

Heart:  What heart impact does verse 5 have on youas you live out your life today?

Hands: How can you be a ‘John‘ today in witnessing to the light of Jesus?

Prayer: Father God we thank you for this new beginning Jesus wrought when he came and dwelt amongst us and shared his light with us. We thank you we are made children of God through his death on the cross. We thank you that each new day is an opportunity to turn again to your light and to live in it. Help us as we do that today.

A song to listen to:  You Are My King

Tim Hewlett

This Grow Daily was  originally posted as part of the Bible in 10 series in 2017. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the best of Grow Dailys over the years.