The Glorious Word (John 1:1-18)
Last month, my wife and I saw the movie Wicked, which was adapted from a popular musical. Wicked gives a modern twist to the tale of an old children’s book entitled The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Written by L. Frank Baum more than 100 years ago, the Wizard of Oz tells of a girl named Dorothy, who is transported from Kansas to the fantastical Land of Oz by a tornado. She is told that the only way for her to return home is by the help of a powerful wizard. So, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, where the Wizard of Oz lives. Along the way, she befriends a Tin Man who wants a heart, a Scarecrow who wants a brain, and a Lion who wants courage. Together, they seek the great Wizard, hoping he can give them what they want.
An aura of mystery surrounds the Wizard. He lives in a heavily guarded city, aloof and unapproachable. When Dorothy first sees the Wizard, he intimidates her by appearing in the form of a giant talking head. But later, Dorothy discovers his real identity. A curtain is literally pulled back to reveal that this so-called wizard is nothing but a fraud. He hides behind a curtain because he doesn’t want anyone to find out who he really is. He is just an ordinary man, who came to Oz a long time ago in a hot air balloon. The wizard has no power at all to grant the wishes of Dorothy and her friends.
The Wizard of Oz may be a children’s story, but it may well be a parable about worldly power.The powerful of the world are often surrounded by multiple layers of security and bureaucracy. We have to go through proper channels and follow the right protocol, just to arrange a brief meeting with them. We can only gaze at worldly power from afar, because we need to keep our distance. When dictators fall from power, their palatial homes are usually the first to be ransacked. People fascinated by the mystique surrounding such leaders are always eager to get a glimpse of their private lives. For example, when former Syrian president Bashar Assad’s regime collapsed last month, ordinary Syrians had a good laugh over Assad’s collection of personal photos. Just like that, Assad’s public image of a strongman, carefully crafted over decades of oppression and PR, vanished in a moment. When the curtain is pulled back and worldly power is seen for what it truly is, it is usually not very impressive.
But God is not afraid of our scrutiny. He is not a despot demanding blind allegiance. We are not called to blindly worship an unknown god who has kept us in the dark. In fact, he has taken the initiative to draw near and make himself known to us. Knowing God for who he truly is leads us to realise that he is worthy of all our worship and trust. Today, we will be starting a new sermon series on the Gospel of John. This is its main message: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has come to reveal the Father, so that all who believe in Him receive eternal life.
To truly know God, we must behold His Son. The Gospel of John reveals God by showing us the unsearchable riches of His Son. We can divide the book into two big parts: The first part comprises chapters 1-12. This has been called the Book of Signs. It records seven of Jesus’ miracles. John calls them signs because they point us to Jesus. The second part, which comprises chapters 13-20, has been called the Book of Glory. It focuses on how Jesus is glorified by being lifted up on the cross and by His resurrection. These two big parts are bookended by a prologue and an epilogue.
It has been said that the Bible is like a river in which a lamb can walk and an elephant swim. This old adage is especially true of the Gospel of John. It is plain, yet profound; simple enough for a child to understand, yet so deep that it would take more than a lifetime of study to mine its theological riches. Its subject matter is inexhaustible, for John portrays the glories of Jesus’ person and work. We encounter Jesus through His signs, His teaching, as well as His death and resurrection.
Why should we listen to John’s Gospel? To have eternal life, we must know the only true God. And the only way for us to know God is by knowing His Son, whom He has sent. John 20:31 states the Gospel’s purpose: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. How do we persevere and grow as Christians? We must not move on from Jesus to something else. No, we need to grow deeper in Christ. We know Him in order to know Him more, and Jesus becomes more precious to us. May the Gospel of John give us a greater view of Jesus Christ. For only by beholding the glory of the Son will we be transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
The glorious Word has come to reveal the glory of God the Father.
Our text today is the prologue that introduces John’s Gospel. These first 18 verses are like a grand entrance into a vast treasure house. They reveal truths about the Son that the Gospel will go on to unpack. This is the big idea: The glorious Word has come to reveal the glory of God the Father. We will expand on this in three points: The Word was in the beginning. The Word is the light. The Word became flesh.
The Word was in the beginning (Jn 1:1-5)
The Gospel begins with an intriguing character, the Word. Who is He? In these 18 verses, John unpacks His identity. In those times, Greek philosophy understood “Word” (logos) to be an impersonal principle of Reason that gave order to the universe. But for John, the Word isn’t an abstract concept but an actual Person. John 1:1-5 tell us three things about the Word.
Firstly, He is eternal. Notice how John 1:1 begins with “in the beginning”. Does this sound familiar? It echoes the very first verse of the Bible: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1) But there is a key difference: the Word was not created; He simply was. In other words, He already existed at the beginning of creation.
We can rely on Him who sees all of eternity and who knows the end from the beginning. The Word is Lord over time and history.
The Word did not begin to exist when He became flesh (Jn 1:14). He has always eternally existed as the pre-incarnate Word. He has no beginning and, by implication, no end. We can trust in the eternal, unchanging Word, because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can rely on Him who sees all of eternity and who knows the end from the beginning. The Word is Lord over time and history.
Secondly, the Word is God. John 1:1 says, “The Word was God.” The Word has always been fully God. There was never a time when the Word was not God. In the Old Testament, God’s Word is closely connected with God Himself, particularly when He works in creation and redemption. His word is personal and powerful. Since the Word is God, we ought to pay even closer attention to Him.
But while the Word is fully God, He is also a Person distinct from God. Look again at John 1:1: “the Word was with God.” This may not be a full explanation of the doctrine of the Trinity, yet we can discern certain Trinitarian truths. See how God and the Word are both fully God. However, they are distinct Persons, both existing at the same time. John 1:1 also highlights the intimate relationship between God and the Word. The literal translation of “with God” is “face-to-face with God”. The unity between God and the Word existed from eternity. John 1:2 reads, “He was in the beginning with God.” These two distinct Persons of the Godhead have always been in perfect fellowship with each other. How do we get to know someone? We hear from a person who is close to them. Because the Word is one with God, He is well-placed to reveal God to us. The Word shows us what God is like. Whatever the Word says, God says. The Word does the will of God. Therefore, to know the Word is to truly know God.
Thirdly, the Word creates. In the Old Testament, God’s word is closely associated with His power in creation — “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made.” (Ps 33:6a) He spoke the universe into existence. John 1:3 speaks of how God creates through the Word. He made all things, without exception. The Word is Creator, not created. Therefore, He is sovereign over of all of creation because He is before all things. The Word is supreme, and worthy of our worship.
The Word is the source of life and light (John 1:4-5). We owe our existence to Him, for He gives to all humanity life and breath and everything. In the beginning, He separated the light from the darkness and created the day and night. The Word is the light of the world. He not only creates physical light, but He also shines the spiritual light of God’s holiness and truth. He is the true knowledge and wisdom of God. The darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief cannot overcome the light of the world. The Word will win. He who created all things has the power to renew us by giving us new life. Baptism, which we had the joy of witnessing this morning, pictures this new life. We die to our old life without God and are raised to a new life lived for God’s glory. The Word is powerful to save and transform us. He is the beginning of both the creation and the new creation.
The Word is the light (Jn 1:6-13)
To prepare for the coming of the Word, God sent a man to bear witness about the light. Look at John 1:6-8. His name was John (the Baptist). He was not the light. His ministry was to point others to the light, that they might believe in the Word. Unlike John the Baptist, the Word is not merely a human prophet. Hear what John says about the Word in John 1:15, “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.” The Word is greater because He is eternal. John the Baptist shows us how we ought to humble ourselves before the Word. He says in John 1:26-27, “I baptise with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” We exalt the Word. He must increase, we must decrease.
The ministry of John the Baptist shows God’s faithfulness to fulfil His promises in the Old Testament. God said through Malachi the prophet: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me (Mal. 3:1a). John paves the way for God Himself to come. We can trust God, who never fails to keep His promises and accomplish His plan.
How will we respond to the Word: Will we receive or reject Him?
Like John, we who have believed in the Word are to point others to Him. But be prepared to face opposition, for not all will receive him. Look at John 1:9-11. The Word is the true light who is coming into the world. He gives light to everyone because He is the way, the truth, and the life. The Word shines the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. God has graciously made Himself known to us. How will we respond to the Word: Will we receive or reject Him?
Although the world was made through the Word, the world did not know Him. God made all things good, but humanity has rebelled against its Creator. We are answerable to our Maker for how we have lived the life He has given us. But instead of thanking and praising the One to whom we owe everything, we have lived for ourselves. My life revolves around me, and God is not in the picture at all. Sin is godlessness. The world is fallen in sin. Its works and ways are opposed to God.
It is amazing that the Word should desire to come into a broken, sin-sick world. And what is even more incredible is He would subject Himself to the pain and shame of being rejected by His own creation. Even the Jews — His own people did not receive Him. The Jews had the Old Testament Scriptures. They knew God’s covenant promises of a coming Saviour. Yet, they hardened their hearts against the Word, assuming that their status as God’s people made them good enough for God. Friends: do not assume we are spiritually well simply because we are long-time church goers, because we know a lot about the Bible, or because we have grown up in a Christian home. Honestly examine ourselves. Have such privileges made us complacent, proud or self-righteous? Have we truly humbled ourselves and believed in the Word who is coming into the world?
Heed the good news of John 1:12 — If we receive the Word and believe in His name, He gives us the right to become children of God. It is not because of anything we have done, but simply because of what the Word has done for us. His name refers to the perfections of His character. To believe in His name means to trust in the Word to save us. It is by God’s grace alone, not our works. John 1:13 makes it clear that our new birth is God’s work, not ours. It is not by blood or physical descent. It is not by the flesh or human effort. It is not by human will or desire.
The church is God’s family, a gathering of redeemed sinners created by God’s grace. We, of all people, should be the most humble and thankful. None of us deserves to be here. We have not earned our place. Apart from God’s grace and mercy in our lives, we would have been headed for hell. But thanks to the Word, we who believe in His name have been converted from being God’s enemies to becoming His beloved children. This gospel saves all who believe, there is no distinction.
The Word became flesh (Jn 1:14-18)
We have heard about how the Word was in the beginning, and how the Word is the light. How has the Word come into the world? John 1:14 gives us the surprising answer: the Word became flesh. This is the climax of the prologue. This verse is packed with gospel goodness, so let us savour the wonderful truth of the incarnation. Consider this: The eternal Word, who existed before all things, who made all things, and who is above all things, willingly subjected Himself to the constraints and limitations of time and space. Not only so, but He took on flesh and became as we are. He did not come with the pomp of worldly power and prestige. The Word, who is worthy of worship, humbly laid aside His glory to identify with us in the weakness and frailty of our flesh. Though He was God, He emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. What amazing grace for the Word to become flesh!
In 1934, missionaries John and Betty Stam were taken prisoner by Communist solders in China. They were forced to march almost 20km to a town, where they were both beheaded. Their deaths prompted Frank Houghton, who was serving with the Stams in the China Inland Mission, to write a hymn drawing comfort from the incarnation.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising,
Heavenward by Thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man.
Indeed, we have a God who understands our pain and sorrow, for He Himself suffered for His people. He is our comfort. May we never lose our wonder at how the Word became flesh. He who is fully God became fully man, that He might lay down His life for sinners. As John’s Gospel will go on to show, the Word will be lifted up on the cross. He will take God’s judgement against sinners on Himself, so that all who believe in Him might not perish but receive forgiveness and eternal life.
The Word is Immanuel, God with us. God did not wait for us to go to Him; He first drew near to us.
In the incarnation, God Himself has come to live among His people. “Dwelt” literally means to “pitch His tent”. This recalls the Old Testament tabernacle, which symbolised God’s presence with His people as He led them through the wilderness to the promised land. With the coming of the Word, shadow has given way to substance. The Word is Immanuel, God with us. God did not wait for us to go to Him; He first drew near to us.
Writing as an eyewitness of the Word, the apostle John says, “We have seen his glory.” This is not just a reflected glory either, like how the moon has no light of its own but reflects light from the sun. No, the Word has glory in Himself; it is glory as of the only Son from the Father. The Word is none other than the one and only Son of God. He is equal to the Father, and therefore unique in His glory. The prophets who came before had no glory of their own; they were simply reflecting God’s glory as they spoke God’s word to His people. But the Son is different. He Himself reveals the Father’s glory as only the Son can. The Son is God’s supreme, ultimate revelation of Himself. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Heb. 1:1-2a) Therefore, to know God, we must know His Son. So, listen to Him.
What does it means to see the Son’s glory? John tells us that his glory is full of grace and truth. To see His glory is to have a personal experience of God’s goodness towards undeserving sinners. Here, John is alluding to a significant event during Israel’s exodus from Egypt. God rescued His people from slavery that they might serve Him. But instead of worshiping Him, they made a golden calf and bowed down to it. Faced with God’s judgement against His rebellious people, Moses intercedes for them. When God agrees to show grace and mercy, Moses requests a sign of God’s goodness by asking Him, “Please show me your glory” (Exo 33:18). God graciously obliges. He puts Moses in a cleft of the rock and makes all His goodness pass before Moses. But Moses is not allowed to see God’s face, for man cannot see God and live. When God passes before Moses, He reveals His name, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exo 34:6).
Now, God has revealed His glory in a greater way by sending His Son. Moses only caught a glimpse of God’s back but now, because the Word became flesh, we see the glory of God in the face of His Son. He reveals the Father is full of grace and truth — abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The Son is the greatest revelation of God’s goodness towards sinners. “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 Jn 4:9).
As John 1:15 makes clear, John the Baptist is not the Son. He simply points to the Son, who is the eternal Word. Look at John 1:16. God’s sending of the Son is the outflow of His fullness, which refers to His glory. With the Son’s incarnation, we have received grace upon grace, or grace in place of grace. The grace that has come in the person of the Son far supersedes and surpasses the grace Israel received through the Old Testament law. Look at John 1:17. God’s giving of the law through Moses was a gracious act. But now, God’s grace and truth have come in a Person.
Who is He? Who is the glorious Son of God and the eternal Word-made-flesh? For the first time, John reveals His name. Look at John 1:17 — grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17b). Jesus is the promised Messiah. But He is no ordinary man; He is the only One who can reveal God to us. Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Look at John 1:18. No one has ever seen God—not even Moses, the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. How can unholy sinners like us approach the holy God? Our only hope is that God Himself draws near to us. Thankfully, God is not like the Wizard of Oz, who hides His real identity so that no one can find that He is a fraud. No, God has revealed Himself fully and finally to us. How? Through Jesus, the only Son and the eternal Word. Jesus is the only God, who is at the Father’s side. Because Jesus is one with the Father and because He is God come in the flesh, Jesus has made (the Father) known.
When the apostle Paul visited Athens during one of his missionary journeys, he came across an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god” (Acts 17:23). The good news is that God has not left us ignorant about Himself. We need not worship who or what we do not know, for God has made Himself known. Faith is not a leap into the unknown or an irrational shot in the dark. No, faith is founded on God’s revelation of Himself, supremely in the Person of His Son. Jesus is the glorious Word who has come to reveal the glory of God. Whoever has seen the Son has seen the Father. But to behold the Son, we must look with the eyes of faith. His glory is hidden, except to those who trust in Him. Will we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that we might have life in His name?