1. Week One: Meeting Jesus

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.

John 1:1-4

Introductions can be awkward or exciting, but they are often routine. My husband, being much more extroverted than I am, knows a lot of people. As a result, we often run into someone he knows whose name escapes him, which makes introducing me tricky. Sometimes he ignores me, almost acting as if I’m not right there, but more often he tells his acquaintance my name without giving me his friend’s name. Thankfully, most of them come to his aid by putting out their hands and introducing themselves.

The best introductions are to people whom I have only heard of. Finally! I get put a face with a name. I may even have an opportunity to get to know her beyond her reputation—find out who she really is.

The gospel of John begins with introductions to Jesus. As you will see, he is described as someone expected—the long-awaited Jewish Messiah promised in Old Testament times. Meeting Jesus forces people to face who and what he really is. What will they do with this man? Who is he? Will they—and ultimately we— follow or reject him? (Note that when John uses the term “the Jews” (NET), he usually refers to those hostile to Jesus, including both leaders and ordinary Jewish people, rather than all Jews.)

Part One

Throughout this gospel, metaphors using the physical point to spiritual realities about Jesus. As you journal, consider what they add to your understanding of Jesus’s true identity.

Read John’s Introduction To Jesus In John 1:1-18.

Background on the term Word in John 1:1 from Dr. Tom Constable:

Obviously the word “Word” (Gr. logos; Aram. memra, used to describe God in the Targums), to which John referred, was a title for God. The Targums are Aramaic translations of the Old Testament. Later in this verse he identified the Word as God. John evidently chose this title because it communicates the fact that the Word was not only God but also the expression of God. A spoken or written word expresses what is in the mind of its speaker or writer. Likewise Jesus, the Word (v. 14), was not only God, but He was the expression of God to humankind. Jesus’ life and ministry expressed to humankind what God wanted us to know (cf. Heb. 1:1-2) The word “word” had this metaphorical meaning in Jewish and Greek literature when John wrote his Gospel.¹

“To the Hebrew ‘the word of God’ was the self-assertion of the divine personality; to the Greek the formula denoted the rational mind that ruled the universe. . . . Both backgrounds are important for understanding this title as John used it in 1:1,14.”²

Before you journal, read A.W. Tozer’s words:

. . . So we wonder: How could the Infinite ever become finite? And: How could the Limitless One deliberately impose limitations upon Himself? . . .

*** Journal about these other verses with themes that connect with John’s introduction:  Hebrews 1:1-4; 1 John 1:1-3.

Respond to the story by journaling:

• What does John’s introduction, and in particular its word pictures, reveal about Jesus?
• What insights from this passage do you have about how people respond to Jesus?
• What is God saying to you as you meditate on these amazing scriptures?

Part Two

Scholars place the beginning of this story as John tells it sometime between the years 28-30 A.D. As you read about John the Baptist introducing various people to Jesus, read it as if you were also a first century Jew meeting Jesus for the first time.

Read John 1:19-51.

*** John the Baptist introduces Jesus as the Lamb of God, which would have brought the Passover lamb to the minds of his Jewish audience. Read and journal about what that picture suggests: Exodus 11:4-9; 12:3-13; 1 Cor. 5:7.

Respond to the story by journaling:

• What does John’s testimony reveal about Jesus and his purposes vv. 19-36?
• What do you learn about Jesus from his interactions with John’s disciples?
• What is God saying to you through this story?

Part Three

As you read the stories that John told of what he saw and heard traveling and living beside Jesus during his three-year ministry, picture yourself with them. If you are already familiar with these stories, ask God to help you meditate on what it would have been like to actually see the miracles and hear Jesus’s teaching for the first time.

Read John 2, Particularly Noting The Word “Sign(S).” We Will Consider More Closely The Significance Of A Sign In Week 3.

*** Noting repeated words is a good way to discover the themes of the Bible. Mark them when you find them. Go back through John 1 & 2 marking life, light, witness, and sign(s) in different colors or with special markings. Then write down your insights. Somehow note each sign John points out as you go through the entire book.

Respond to the story by journaling:

• What insights do you have about Jesus from his first miracle or “sign” and from his actions in the temple?
• What do you learn about people in these stories (and maybe yourself) from their responses to Jesus in this chapter?
• What is God saying to you today?

PRAYER: Use John 1:1-5, 9-13 as a basis for a prayer of praise to Jesus.

Watch Who Is This Jesus? Week 1 That Accompanies This Lesson At https://Vimeo.Com/Album/4507580