Thoughts on the Gospel of John (2) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him nothing was made that was made.
John 1:1-3

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (2)
While the three synoptic gospels begin with the birth of Jesus or His ministry, John presents an eternal existence at the start of his gospel: "the Word". Who is meant, when the writer speaks of "the Word"? The sequel of the text leaves no doubt as to the answer: it is God the Son, called "the Word" because God's thoughts and intentions find their expression in Him. Five facts are set out in these simple, yet profound sentences:

"In the beginning was the Word". In contrast to all that was created and thus had a beginning, the Son of God was already there: He is eternal.

"The Word was with God". The two expressions "Word" and "God" are not identical. The Son of God is a separate, distinctive Person of the Godhead.

"The Word was God". The Son of God is just as much deity as the Father and the Holy Spirit. "God by nature", as Luther expressed it.

"He was in the beginning with God". The Son of God never started to be with God from a specific moment; He has existed eternally as deity, i.e. as the Son.

"All things were made through him". The Son of God is the Creator of all that has become existent. But He never became who He is. He was, originally and initially. Without the Son of God the question of the origin of things cannot be answered.

These five abstract statements about Jesus Christ stand like a rock against the surge of human philosophy and disparagement.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Joshua 8:14-23 · 1 Corinthians 7:1-11