August 8, 2021 – John 1-4

“In the beginning was the Word . . . (1:1). Each of the Gospel writers seem to have his own emphasis when writing about Jesus, though each, in his own way, connects the Messiah with what has gone before. Matthew is intent on showing that Jesus is the son of David, the promised king. Mark begins by quoting the Isaiah passage, which foretells the preparatory ministry of John. Like Matthew, in quoting the prophet early in his writing, Mark is linking Jesus to the plan of God, rooted and carried out in history, to send the Messiah. Luke carries Jesus' genealogy all the way back to Adam: “Son of Adam, son of God.” John connects Jesus to the past, but not with a genealogy. In fact, it is more accurate to say that John does not so much connect Jesus to his human descendants; rather, John establishes Jesus’ eternal credentials right up front.

Jesus, his incarnation and ministry, and the gospel are no last minute decisions on the part of God the Father. God is not acting on a sudden whim. From the beginning, preparations were made for the coming of the eternal One, Jesus, and now he has come, as Matthew puts it, “into the world to save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:22). As John the Baptist put it: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (1:29)

Come, thou Incarnate Word,

gird on thy mighty sword,

scatter thy foes.

Let thine almighty aid

our sure defense be made,

our souls on thee be stayed;

thy wonders show. –Author unknown