Wednesday, December 5, 2012
John 1:1-18 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... [12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ... [18] No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
THE INCARNATION ACCORDING TO JOHN: IN THE WORD
When John names Him the Word, he certainly does so in order to emphasize that it is through this man that we hear and learn about God. This is seen immediately from the parallel of verse eighteen in which John repeats the exact thoughts of verse one, but instead of simply calling Him the Word, uses the more descriptive phrase "He has declared Him."
But John also apparently uses the Greek philosophical term "Logos" (Word) much as Paul used the altar to the unknown God in Athens. Some Greeks had used the term to indicate the creating force behind the universe. Verses 3 and 4 parallel the thoughts of these Greeks. John uses the well known teaching technique of starting from something familiar. And yet he immediately makes it quite clear that what he teaches has no common ground with that same Greek philosophy. He calls the Word "light" and all men "darkness." He strikes at the heart of the Greek's pride, calling them to repentance and an acknowledgement of the uselessness of their claimed superior wisdom.
With one word John calls the Greek to recognize the true source of light and life, and calls all men to seek the knowledge of God only through the revelation of Jesus, but more he speaks to the Jews to recognize this Man as the active saving power of God. Throughout the Old Testament God is portrayed as performing his saving acts through the Word. Ps 33:6, Ps 107:20, and Is 55:11 are just a few examples. And thus in verse twelve it is this Word which has the power to act in saving men.
In this way John portrays the totality of the incarnation in the single word "Word." The creator God acting in power to save men in words and deeds as a man.
