David Bahn – Reflections

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Here are some of my notes for my message today at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypres, Texas. Christmas Day worship is my very favorite worship service of the year. It’s “one and done.” It’s all about Jesus. And the message of John chapter 1 is profoundly rich. The photo above is a reminder of the abundance of God’s grace (v. 16).

The incarnation is a profoundly sublime  mystery: God, the Word is eternal, Creator, source of life, and light shining eternally in the darkness. From the Reformation Study Bible:

This is the climactic assertion of the Prologue. To some of John’s contemporaries, spirit and the divine were utterly opposed to matter and flesh. To others, the gods were thought to visit the earth disguised as human beings (Acts 14:11). But here a chasm is bridged: the eternal Word of God did not merely appear to be a human being, but actually became flesh. He took to Himself a full and genuine human nature.

This eternal God “became flesh.” From the Abingdon Commentary:

Although John 1:14 is considered the classic statement of the doctrine of the Incarnation, and it seems so when read in light of other similar passages in the New Testament such as 1 John1:1-4; 4:2-3; 2 John 7; Phil2:5-11; and Heb 2:14-18; it actually says little about the nature of incarnation, but states the fact boldly and briefly. Quite possibly readers supply meaning from these other texts, especially from the passages in the Johannine letters, which emphasize the tangibility of the Revealer

The incarnation is also a display of extraordinary grace: All (v.7 & 9), Still giving himself even in the face of rejection (v.11), adopting us into his family (v. 12) by his work in our hearts since we couldn’t make that happen on our own (v. 13). The Word dwelt among us. Again from the Reformation Study Bible:

“Dwelt” means “pitched His tent.” This not only indicates the temporary nature of Jesus’ earthly existence, but does so in a way that recalls ancient Israel’s tabernacle, where God could be found.

[The words, “full of grace and truth” (v. 14)] correspond to Old Testament terms describing God’s covenant mercy that are often translated “steadfast love and faithfulness” (Gen. 24:27; Ps. 25:10; Prov. 16:6; cf.Ex. 34:6; Ps. 26:3). The Word made flesh fully manifests the gracious covenant-making and covenant-keeping character of God.

V. 16, Abingdon Commentary, “Of his fullness” picks up on “full of grace and truth” (v. 14, emphasis added). What has occurred in the Incarnation overflows, so to speak, to the benefit of those who follow Jesus. The final phrase (charis anti charitos) is translated “grace upon grace” (NRSV, RSV) … “grace abounding.” [One may well see a] continuity between one grace and another…indicating that every moment of the believer’s life is determined by grace…”

Better yet, “every moment of the believer’s life flows from grace to grace.” We are enriched by God’s grace from beginning to end. It never runs out. Sin is always trumped by grace.