By Adam Winn, Ph. D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at Samford University
LOOKING FORWARD TO LOVE
John 1:14–18; 3:14–18
The glory of God is seen in Jesus’ presence among us. (1:14–15)
We cannot understand the significance of these verses without the preceding verses. The gospel of John opens by making declarations about the Word (Logos in Greek), claiming that the Word was in the beginning, it was with God and it was God.
He even declares that all things came into being through the Word. But what is the Word, or
Logos, John is talking about?
The Word of God was a prominent idea in the Jewish writings of the first century. One author claims the Word is the only Son of God and the very Name of God. It was widely believed that through this Word, God created all things.
In fact, Jews of this time understood the Word (Logos) to be the God of Israel that walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden, that appeared to Abraham, that wrestled with Jacob and that appeared to Moses at the burning bush and on Mount Sinai.
Thus, in a very real way, God’s Word was understood by many Jews as a distinct entity that is also very much understood to be the God that is present in Israel’s scriptures. In John 1:14, John declares that this Word of God took on human flesh and dwelt among those whom He created. Yet, the word “dwelt” is more correctly translated as “tabernacled.”
John is saying that the very God who dwelt with Israel in the Tabernacle of old is now incarnate in the person of Jesus.
The grace of God is extended to us through Jesus. (16–18)
John declares that from the fullness of this eternal Word, we have received what is best translated as “grace in place of grace.” John likely has in view two acts of God’s grace, one greater than the other.
The first grace is God’s gift of the law to Israel, which was understood by Israel as a gracious gift from God. But the second grace, one that replaces the first grace, is the Word incarnate and the life that will come through his life, death and resurrection. This is made clear in the next verse, where it describes the law being given through Moses, but the greater grace and truth coming through Jesus the Messiah/Christ.
The contrast between the giving of the law and the work of Jesus continues in verse 18. The claim that no one has ever seen God evokes the story from Exodus 33–34 in which Moses is allowed to see a glimpse of God’s back. Yet, the reader knows what Moses saw was in fact the Word (Logos).
The text goes on to say that only the Son of God (also the Word) who is close to the Father’s bosom (chest) has truly made the Father known. Here, John is continuing an intentional contrast between Jesus and Moses. Moses was only able to catch a glimpse of the Word’s back, while Jesus, the Word itself, has seen God from the front, the bosom (chest).
It is because of this access to the Father that Jesus can truly and fully reveal the Father in a way that Moses and the Law could not.
The love of God is evident in the gift of His Son Jesus. (3:14–18)
While the entire book of John describes the way in which Jesus, the Word, fully reveals the Father, these verses in John 3 capture it well. It describes the great love of God the Father, love that is expressed in the sending of his Son, the Word, to us.
This Son is the means of salvation and eternal life for all who place their faith in him.
This Christmas, may we remember the great love that God the Father has for us, a love that was manifest in the eternal Word made flesh at the first Christmas.
And may our saving faith in that Son be renewed and refreshed.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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