Jesus: Son of God
Many have heard of Jesus as “God’s Son.” We sing of Him at Christmas and Easter that way. But, few realize the implications of the phrase. John’s Gospel tells us much about the Son of God, particularly in the first verses of chapter one. There we read:
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 through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-4)
From this passage, we learn several important things:
First, the Word was with God in the beginning. These words link back to the creation account in Genesis 1. Though John does not use the name of Jesus until verse 17, he links Jesus directly with this description of “the Word.” Jesus was in the beginning and “with God.” This means that He existed before creation, and he has a distinct personality from God the Father. Since the phrase “with God” also has the meaning of “face to face,” we learn that the Word is equal with God.
Second, the Word was God. Though possessing an individual personality and will, the Word was equal with God, in both unity and essence. This clearly shows that the Word (Jesus) is God.
Third, the Word is Creator. John tells us, “He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him” (verses 2 thru 3a). Since only God is Creator (Genesis 1:1), John clearly establishes the deity of the Word. Also, since God (and by extension the Word) is the Creator, he is therefore uncreated.
Fourth, the Word has life by His own existence. Verse 4 tells us, “He had life in Himself, and His life was the light for all men.” As the uncreated Word, not only does He have life, but He is the source of all life. And it is that eternal life that Christ has that is the light (eternal hope) of men. That light was so strong that not even the darkness of human sin could overcome it (verse 5).
That last statement deserves a bit more attention. We are told that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Our world is full of darkness these days. One does not have to look far to see it. Perhaps you live in a world of darkness. The thing about light is that it only takes a small light to vanquish the darkness. He came to bring light into the world, and that light exists in our hearts, no matter what we are going through, or where we find ourselves in life. When we turn to Him in faith, His light and love is shed abroad in our hearts. Though our circumstances may not change the darkness inside us can be expelled, and we can live in the freedom of the light.
