Chapter One

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

6 There was a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have not seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"




16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Christ
19 Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent Priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confesses freely, "I am not the Christ."

21 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"

He said, "I am not."

"Are you the Prophet?"

He answered, "No."

22 Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

24 Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

26 I baptize with water," John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.

 

 

Topic: Jesus
John 1:14

 Face to Face

Millions of people today communicate with each other via electronic mail. Some say they prefer to build relationships this way - perhaps because there is relatively little risk involved. We also may feel freer to express ourselves when facing a computer monitor or a piece of paper than we do talking with someone.

In spite of these benefits, we intuitively understand that we don't really know a person until we have met him or her in person. Many people have felt that they had found love with a pen pal or an acquaintance on the internet, only to be bitterly disappointed when they met in person.

God gave us his Law through Moses and described himself through Abraham, David and the prophets. But those laws and descriptions would never be enough to enable us to say that we really know who God is.

Having given his Word, God showed just how committed he is by becoming one of us. Thanks be to God that Jesus became a human being! Now we need not be satisfied with laws and written descriptions of God in heaven. He is incarnate.   The Word has become flesh and dwells among us!

As you consider your relationship with the Lord, is he a friend with whom you talk and share? He wants that kind of deeply personal relationship with you.

LOOKING DEEPER
Exodus 33:11; John 15:15; 1 Corinthians 13:12.

 
 

 

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THE STARTING POINT STUDY BIBILE New International Version
The Luis Palau Evangelistic Association / www.luispalau.org