January 12, 2016
Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:1; John 1:1-5
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Questions for Reflection:
John begins his first letter in a way that is different from how most letters of the time. Most letters begin with the author and recipients identified clearly. Instead of a traditional opening, the prologue to the letter begins in similar fashion to how the gospel of John starts. What phrases appears in both passages?
John uses a term that is loaded with meaning in both passages. The term translated “Word” is logos in the Greek. The term carried meaning for the Jewish and Greek audience. The Jews understood the term to point to the creative power of God, the word through which God authored creation. The Greek audience was familiar with the term as well. Greek philosophers used the term logos to point to the item that held the world together. To who or what does John refer when he talks about the Word? If John is claiming that Jesus is the Word, what is John claiming about Jesus’ role in the creation and sustaining of all things? What do we learn about the Word from John’s writings in the passages above?
John was facing a problem within his church. There was a group of people who were denying the reality of Jesus Christ’s life and humanity (a problem that persists in our world today). John was laying a foundation for a proper theology within his congregation. John wanted his congregation to know with confidence who Jesus was. John understands that it is essential that we have a proper view of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done.
The phrase “from the beginning” or “in the beginning” is used 10 times in John’s letters. He obviously begins the letter with the phrase. Bible scholar Colin Kruse notes in his commentary, “[in the beginning] is used most frequently in relation to the command to love one another, which the readers heard as part of the gospel message from the beginning.” As we study John’s letter, remember that one of the central themes is the command to love one another. How does proper understanding of who Jesus influence our ability to love others well?