We Have Seen His Glory

Introduction

Last weekend we were in Nashville celebrating my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. There is a significant murder trial taking place in Nashville. An individual is on trial for murdering his wife. But there are several unusual circumstances. There is no body. There are no witnesses that saw the woman murdered. There is no murder weapon. Prosecutors are trying this case with circumstantial evidence. Witnesses testify to something said and something done by request. What is most unusual is that the trial is taking place 10 years after the alleged murder. It took prosecutors 10 years to put this case together. I watched one of the witnesses and his testimony was filled with “I don’t recall” statements. After 10 years, it would be difficult to recall specific conversations. It is a high profile case. So tainted was the jury pool that jurors had to be brought from Chattanooga in order to insure impartiality.

By the time John writes his gospel, Jesus has been gone from this earth for over 50 years. Such a long passage of time would mean that the number of eyewitnesses available to reconstruct Jesus’ life were diminishing. As one of the last eyewitnesses, John clearly says in 20:30-31 that his purpose is to convince his readers that Jesus is the Christ. To this end, this gospel is written as a far reaching testimony. Witnesses are called to testify about what they knew and what they saw. Seven miracles, numerous witnesses both for and against Jesus are called, and John himself offers insight that only an eyewitness would know. Everyone in John’s gospel has something to say about Jesus. Even Jesus is called to testify. Through it all, John’s purpose is clearly seen: “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through faith you may have life in his name.”

Unlike the trial in Nashville, John’s gospel has an eyewitness—John. What he writes is designed to convince. He will challenge; he will persuade; but it is not possible to read John’s gospel and be left undecided about Jesus. John brings too many witnesses and situations to our attention. None is more dramatic than the beginning of his gospel. Today as we look at the introduction to John’s gospel, we will read John’s opening statement. From the beginning, he wants to grab our attention. John has no difficulty remembering conversations or situations. He wants his readers to be convinced about Jesus; so does God. Let’s be encouraged.

Prologue

In the first 5 verses, John introduces a number of concepts: Word, life, light, darkness. With simple words, John pulls at us to think abstractly. The word “word” meant more to his initial readers than it does to us. To the Jews this word was used to describe God’s spoken words or self-expression. To the Greeks, word meant some impersonal rational force. Both Jews and Greeks used this term to refer to the starting point of all things. But John doesn’t allow us to see this “Word” as impersonal like the Greeks or a simple way of describing God like the Jews. Instead this “Word” is personal. This word is called “he” and this “Word” created. He is not just the starting point of all things—all things started through him.

In this “Word” was life and this life brought light. Two concepts which demand more than just a passing interest. Life brought light. The giver of life illuminated the darkness. And the darkness did not overcome it. Nothing could snuff out the light. As John says in verse 10, the world did not recognize the light.

The first witness appears. John known as the Baptizer testified about the light. But the witness was ignored. Those to whom the light was promised rejected the promise. But then John tells us something which peaks our interest. The “Word” became flesh. Two important truths that John is presenting about the “Word”: The “Word” was God and the “Word” became flesh. This “Word” has the traits of the divine and the traits of humanity. When the “Word” came he lived among human beings. He did not separate himself from that which he had created. He lived among us.

John’s testimony is heard again—this word was after John and yet he is greater because he preceded John. This witness verifies what John has proposed—this “Word” is fully God and fully man. And then in a calculated move, John tells us who the “Word” is: Jesus. He is the one who has created life and brought light. He is God and he is man. And in that final statement in verse 18, he is the one who has revealed God to us.

All of this is very cerebral. One doesn’t skim through this introduction without being amazed at all the spiritual concepts being discussed. This is a section that isn’t fully appreciated. And yet it is so profound that one is amazed at the brevity of words to convey these concepts. We have read it often and may not be as impressed as we once were. So what does this section have to say to us?

Application

How do we explain the one through whom all things were created coming to this earth? The very first witness has testified that he was far greater than he. How do we possibly understand the one who gave life coming to bring light in our darkness? What words would you use? There are no words adequate enough. We call it love, but we use the same word to describe french fries and pizza and kittens. Our sin brought the Son of God to earth. Like those who walked the same paths, we rejected him. Our sin tried to overcome his light. But he fulfilled the will of God. Let’s sing about this love that we are so inadequate to explain and share in this common meal.

The “Word” came for one important reason. Notice verses 11-13. He came so that we might become children of God. We do not become children by our own initiative. It isn’t by human will that one comes under the rule of God. It is by God’s initiative. The created did not go to God, but God came to us. This is God’s gift to us. He gave us the right to be children of God. We didn’t earn that right; we didn’t buy into that right; we didn’t shed blood for that right. God gave us the right—to all who have accepted the “Word.” To become a child of God means to accept Jesus as the one who has shown us God.

John has in mind that as children we would take on the nature of the one who has created us and brought us life and light.

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