24
Dec '24
From Beginning to End – The Word
24
Dec '24
Introduction: Was Jesus created? When did He begin? How do we know? These questions will hopefully be answered in this devotion. Thanks for reading!
1. The Word was in the beginning! (John 1:1) – “In the beginning was the Word.”
The word “beginning” is ἀρχή, which means beginning, origin, or ruler. Jesus does not have a beginning as in time; instead, He has been here since eternity past. In other words, He was not a created being, contrary to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, etc. Time and space will not allow us to post all the Scriptures that verify the eternal existence of Jesus Christ, but here are a few: John 8:58; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 1:14-15; Genesis 1:1, etc.
2. The Word was God! (John 1:1) – “…and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Unfortunately, the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible—New World Translation—translates this verse in this manner: “…and the word was a god.” This Pastor has often said to them, “If your god is a little god, that’s fine! My GOD is a great big GOD with a BIG G!” Besides that, without getting too technical, the Greek language does not have a definite article before the phrase “and the Word was God.” No definite article means “a god” is incorrect. Rather, without a definite article, it would be properly translated as “The Word was GOD!” Do you get it?
3. The Word made all things! (John 1:3) – “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
Not only was Jesus Christ God, as John’s Gospel declares, but to prove it, John verifies that “ALL things were MADE by HIM!” Jesus Christ is Creator GOD!!
4. The Word became flesh! (John 1:14) – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Now we get to the part where the Holy Ghost wants every reader to understand that Jesus (the WORD) came to earth as a baby (became flesh) in order to live a life without sin—though He was tempted—and thus be able to die as our substitute, paying the penalty for sin, which is death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14-15). Praise the Lord!
Conclusion: To summarize, John’s Gospel was written to prove that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. By believing in Him (not just head knowledge but heart transformation), we can have eternal life. Do you believe? Are you assured of heaven? Have your sins been forgiven? Remember—from beginning to end, the WORD—JESUS—is GOD!
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese