A Christmas Reflection on John’s Gospel

The opening of John’s Gospel provides profound insights into the nature and significance of who Jesus Christ really is. John approaches his audience with an assumption of faith, speaking directly to those willing to hear the truth about Jesus. He does not try to convince his readers through debate or argument but declares the reality of Christ as foundational and ultimate. Let’s explore John’s message and its implications. (John 1: 1-18)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² The same was in the beginning with God.

³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

⁷ The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

⁹ That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

¹¹ He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

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.

¹⁵ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

¹⁶ And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Faith: Obedient, Not Neutral, Not Open-Minded

John begins with a key presupposition: truth is not something to be judged or debated but rather something to be received with an obedient heart. Contrast this with how we might approach other disciplines. Consider mathematics… when we study mathematics or algebra, we don’t approach it skeptically, pondering whether 4 + 4 equals 8. Instead, we approach it with an intelligent, receptive mind, seeking to understand what has already been established as true.

Likewise, John does not ask his readers to come to Jesus with a so-called open mind, questioning whether his message is valid or not. Instead, he speaks to those prepared to receive the truth with humility and a willingness to follow it. Faith is not passive acceptance but an active and obedient response to the truth.

The Eternal Nature of Jesus

John opens his Gospel with a powerful statement about Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This declaration reveals several critical truths:

Jesus Is Eternal. He existed before time began. He was with God “in the beginning,” before creation itself.

Jesus Is God. As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus is both distinct from the Father and fully God.

Jesus Is the Creator. John emphasizes that “all things were made by him.” Everything that exists: life, light, and the world… was brought into being through Jesus.

John’s portrayal of Jesus as eternal, divine, and creator sets him apart from any other religious figure or teacher. Jesus is not merely a wise man or a prophet but the source of all life and light.

Light and Darkness

John also uses the metaphor of light to describe Jesus’ relationship with the world. Jesus is the “light of men,” a beacon of truth and life shining in the darkness. However, John also points out the tragic reality: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.”

The word “comprehend” has a dual meaning. On one hand, the darkness (symbolizing sin and ignorance) cannot understand the light. On the other hand, neither can it overcome or extinguish the light. Jesus’ light is unquenchable, yet many with hard hearts choose to turn away from it. This rejection is not a failure of Jesus’ message but a reflection of humanity’s sinfulness.

Rejection of the Creator

One of the most heartbreaking truths John reveals is that Jesus, the Creator of all things, was rejected by the very world he created. Despite his role as the source of life, humanity refused to recognize him. In fact, even his own people, the Israelites, turned their backs on him.

Further, this rejection wasn’t then and isn’t now due to a lack of understanding. John makes it clear that people rejected Jesus out of a willful refusal to accept the truth. It’s the same today. Humanity’s problem is not intellectual but moral… an unwillingness to submit to God’s authority.

Becoming Children of God

Amid this rejection, John gives a message of hope. He writes, “But as many as received him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God.” This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own. John emphasizes that it is:

Not of blood. Being part of God’s family is not based on heritage or lineage.

Not of the will of the flesh. It is not something we can accomplish through human effort.

Not of the will of man. Salvation is not something we can will or run to on our own.

Instead, becoming a child of God is a supernatural work of God himself. It is a gift of grace, not something earned, inherited, or gained through intellectual rigor.

The Word Became Flesh

One of the most astonishing truths of Christianity is the incarnation: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus, the eternal Word of God, took on human form and lived among people. This act of humility and love is unparalleled. Through the incarnation, humanity could see and experience God in a personal, tangible way.

John describes Jesus as “full of grace and truth.” In him, we find the perfect balance of kindness and honesty, compassion and justice. Jesus is not only the messenger of God’s grace but its embodiment.

The Final Revelation of God

John also declares that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.” The word “declared” here is significant. In Greek, it means to “exegete” or fully explain. Just as a scholar carefully interprets a text, Jesus fully reveals God’s nature and character to humanity.

The bottom line is this: When we see Jesus, we see God. He is the visible image of the invisible God, the exact representation of his being. Through Jesus, we understand who God is and what he desires for us.

Jesus and the Meaning of History

John’s Gospel goes beyond theology. It touches on all history and human purpose. Jesus is not just central to faith but to all of history. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Everything that happens in the world ultimately points back to him.

Even the darkest moments in history, like the crucifixion, serve God’s greater purpose. When the Jews of the Sanhedrin conspired to kill Jesus, they thought they were achieving their own plans. Instead, they fulfilled God’s plan for salvation. This shows that God’s sovereignty extends over all events, even those orchestrated by evil.

The Modern Challenge

John’s message stands in stark contrast to modern views of truth and history. Many people today reject the idea of absolute truth, preferring to assign and define their own meaning to life and the Universe. Others see history as shaped by autonomous human progress or political power.

John challenges these views. He reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate truth. He is the one through whom all things were made and the one in whom all things hold together. Again, history is not about humanity’s plans but about God’s purposes.

A Call to Faith

John’s Gospel leaves us with a choice. Will we accept Jesus as the light and truth of the world, or will we turn and walk away? Faith in Jesus is not merely an intellectual decision but a life-changing commitment. Those who receive him are transformed into children of God, given new life and purpose.

This faith is not about fear or uncertainty. It is about confidence in the power and plan of God. As John writes, “To them he gave the power to become the sons of God.” This power is not ours to claim but God’s to give.  That makes our faith a by-product of something much, much bigger.

Living in the Light of the Truth

For those who believe in Jesus, the Gospel offers a new way of seeing the world. Instead of fear, we can live with hope and purpose, trusting in God’s sovereignty. Instead of confusion, we can find clarity in the truth of Christ.

Lastly, Jesus is not just a figure of history. Nope.  He is its very meaning and fulfillment. In him, we find the answers to life’s most profound questions. John’s Gospel invites us to see Jesus not only as our Savior but as the foundation of everything we are and everything we do.

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