Over Galilee
Opening Prayer
Jesus, may I never take Your holy God-nature lightly. You are Almighty God of all.
Read John 1:1–18
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Have you noticed a tendency for some to put Jesus on our own level? As our buddy or pal? How does that resonate with you?The Gospel of John opens with a parallel to Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning.” If you read the opening verses, you will see that the author identifies Jesus as the Word who was with God in the beginning. Note who created all things (3). God sent Jesus to earth to save people from their sin, yet see how few recognized him (10).
Between the book of Malachi, the last of the Old Testament, and Matthew’s Gospel, we have a 400-year period of silence. During that time, the priests continued to preach about the Law and the Prophets, but spiritually things were dead. Then God sent John the Baptist who acted as a signpost, pointing the people back to God (Luke 16:16). The Good News of God was again preached to the crowds, who flocked to hear John’s powerful evangelistic message.
John and Jesus were related. Although they lived a good distance from each other, they may have met on family occasions. Yet John refers to Jesus as the coming one who would be far greater than himself (15; 27). We should never forget that Jesus is beyond comparison; he is the Almighty God.
Apply
Jesus wants to be our friend and brother, but have you taken his holy God-nature too lightly? Take time to evaluate your views.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize You in my life and point others to you. May I see You for all that You are.
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