The Word Became Flesh - John 1:1-18

The Word Became Flesh - John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1

These beautiful words are the opening to the Gospel according to John--and the beginning to a sequence of verses  that are powerful, poetic, and full of meaning!

John is not only writing worshipful poetry to be read at Christmastime--but he is carefully crafting an argument that Jesus was not only a fragile baby born in a humble manger, but the very Son of God, eternally existing before time began.  While Jesus' human life had a definite beginning, John tells us that he was with God at the creation of the universe.

Consider for a moment that Jesus was present with the Father at the fall.  Jesus watched as the serpent tempted Eve, and as Adam joined Eve in disobeying God.  Jesus watched as the beautiful world began to unravel.

Perhaps in those moments, Jesus looked forward through time and could see the Father's plan begin to unfold.  Perhaps even then He knew He would humble Himself and take on the nature of a servant... and become obedient, even to death on a cross (Phil. 2).

Of the Father's love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega--He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

                                                                       - Aurelius C. Prudentius; trans. John M. Neale