Embarking on our Daily Devotional voyage through the Gospel of John, we begin with John 1. It is akin to embarking on a pilgrimage through the depths of one’s soul. In this article, we embark on a poignant expedition alongside the author, traversing three pivotal decades of their life, each intertwined with personal encounters with the timeless truths found within the Gospel of John. To reflect on yesterday’s Daily Devotion, check out Jeremiah 52 | Jerusalem Destroyed.
John’s Gospel
As we delve into the depths of John’s Gospel, we are invited to partake in a sacred dialogue, where the timeless truths of Scripture intersect with the lived experiences of the author. Through prayerful contemplation and introspection, we unearth profound revelations that resonate across generations, illuminating the path to deeper intimacy with Christ.
Join us on this transformative expedition as we journey through the Gospel of John, guided by the Allen J. Huth’s candid reflections and imbued with the timeless wisdom of Scripture.
Introduction to the Book of John
Today, we begin the Book of John, one of the most famous books of all the Bible. We will use my English Standard Version Study Bible book introduction to help us understand the Book of John. John was written by the Apostle John, one of twelve disciples of Jesus. He is commonly referred to as the disciple Jesus loved. He most likely wrote from Ephesus, which is in modern day Turkey, probably around 85-95 A.D. John died in 100 A.D., so it was written in his later years.
What Is the Theme of the Gospel of John?
The first three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the synoptic gospels because they take a common view of the life of Jesus. John takes a completely different approach. The theme of the Gospel of John is Jesus is the promised Messiah and the Son of God. By believing in Jesus, people can have eternal life. He wanted his readers to not only come to saving faith in Jesus, he wanted them to grow in their faith.
What Book in the Bible Should I Read First?
You may be asking yourself, what book in the Bible should I read first? Many people suggest the Book of John be the first book people read if they are interested in reading the Bible. Why? Because John tells his readers Jesus is God, you do not know God unless you know Jesus, and if you do not believe Jesus is God, you miss the whole point of why Jesus came to earth.
In this fourth gospel, look for stories not contained in the other gospels. Over ninety percent of John is unique, different than the other synoptic gospels. Look for: Jesus’ first miracle, the story of the woman at the well, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and the way, the truth, and the life. These can only be found in the Gospel of John. And of course, the most famous verse in all the Bible, John 3:16. John is twenty-one chapters; we will take them one-a-day. Please read or listen to John 1.
John 1 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
To help us through the Book of John, I have selected three of my personal Bible reading journals. The first is from 1990, when I was thirty-five years old. That year, I read various books from the New and Old Testaments. In 2005, some fifteen years later, I read a book a month, and I read John in that year. In 2018, I read thirty-four New Testament and Old Testament books, and John was included. So, the first journal from thirty-five years old, the next from fifty years old, and the third from sixty-three years old. Different decades and different perspectives of my life.
In 1990, in my personal Bible reading journal about John 1 (NASB), I looked at verse 3, and wrote, “All things came into being by Him”. Then, “‘Follow Me’ (v. 43), follow Jesus. Walk away from life and give self to Christ. The disciples came one or two at a time. Find people one or two at a time.”
In 2005, I find myself on an airplane. I wrote in my journal, “Flying to San Francisco this morning to do Ezra Project in two churches Sunday and Monday. Great way to start the New Year.” That was on January 1, 2005. Concerning John 1 (NASB), I split the reading into two different days. On the first day, I read verses 1-28 and wrote, “‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (v. 1). Word refers to Jesus. He was in the beginning with God. He also goes to the ‘Word’ in 1:14, ‘And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us’. John equates Jesus with God.”
The next day, I finished John with verses 29 through the end, and wrote, “Jesus came to John the Baptist, His cousin. John probably knew Him as family. This day, God changes Jesus’ identity with the Holy Spirit. John sees Jesus in a whole new way. We need to do the same. Jesus and the Holy Spirit can change our character, our appearance, our appeal to others. John was convinced Jesus was ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! . . . “he was before me”’ (vs. 29-30). ‘(T)his is the Son of God’ (v. 34).”
In 2018, after reading John 1, I wrote in my journal, “‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (v. 1). ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory’ (v. 14). The Word is the Word and Jesus is the Word.” Then I wrote, “John the Baptist introduces Jesus as ‘“the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”’ (v. 29). Amen! Men begin to follow Jesus at His invitation to ‘Follow Me’ (v. 43). He still invites people to follow Him today. I said, ‘Yes, I follow Jesus.’”
Jesus Is the Word and the Word Is Jesus
Let’s take a look at the first chapter of the Book of John. It opens with this great verse, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” If you looked at your Bible, you see “Word” is capitalized each time it is used. Jump down to verse 14 and see why. “And the Word”, which is capitalized, “became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The “Word” in verse 1 and the “Word” in verse 14, both speak of the Word of God, the written Word and Jesus, the Son of God. Verse 2 clarifies it, “He was in the beginning with God.” Who was? Jesus, the Word. Another key verse is, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (v. 12). Hallelujah. Thank You, Jesus, for allowing us to become children of God through You.
Who Is John the Baptist?
We are also introduced to another John in the Gospel of John, John the Baptist. When John the Baptist is baptizing in the Jordan River, he sees Jesus coming and says, “‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (v. 29).He goes on to say, “‘I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (v. 32-34). What a great way to start the Gospel of John, with a very powerful declaration that Jesus is the Son of God.
The chapter ends with Jesus beginning to call His apostles. He invited them and us to, “Come and you will see.” (v. 39). He invites them and us to, “Follow me” (v. 43). Are you following Jesus today?
The Word Came to Save Us
Our applications from John 1 are first, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (v. 1). What we are reading or listening to, is of the Lord. It is God’s Word. Secondly, concerning Jesus, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth” (v. 14), He shined with the glory of the Father here on earth.
Will You Follow Jesus?
Next, Jesus was introduced as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of world!” (v. 29). Who else has ever been introduced with such a title and a purpose? He came so we could see God in the flesh. He came and He asked us to follow Him. Will you do it? Are you following Jesus today? Do you accept that He was there in the beginning? Do you accept that the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and He is truly the Son of God? Do you accept that He came to forgive the sins of world including your own sins?
We are going to learn so much more about this Jesus in the Book of John, but what a great beginning from John 1. Let’s pray.
Father, we bow humbly before You after reading these verses in the Gospel of John. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (v. 1). “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (v.14),and we can behold His glory. He is the Son of God. He came to forgive the sins of the world. Thank You, Jesus.
You not only came to forgive the sins of the world, You came so we could follow You. Father, help us follow Jesus as we learn more about Him through the Gospel of John. Teach us, Holy Spirit, so we can come and see, and follow Jesus. Amen.
