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Why Did John Choose This Word?

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1. It seems that from the very beginning of John’s gospel we see a dramatic change in content and in form from all the other gospels. As we discussed in class, John uses the same words or phrases over and over again to make certain points. I decided to focus on the first word that is repeated, which is ironically “word.” The word was eternal, the word was with the divine, the word was divine, and that word became flesh. The question is: what in the world is that word, and why did John choose that word?

The “word” in John comes from the Greek word “Logos”. The meaning of this word can be very broad. The word appears over three hundred times in the New Testament and it is translated a variety of different ways, but primarily with regards …show more content…

The Word and Creation (1:3-5)
All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

This is best defined as a mission statement for the purpose of the word incarnate. Why did Jesus – the word come into the world? His purpose was to bring light and to penetrate a world of darkness. The Word was not only the medium of creation, it was the source of life and light for men. The word "life" (zoe) is one of loaded with meaning. Life means in John the divine life, and light means truth, or divine reality. God’s desire was to reveal himself to the world and to show them the light. Jesus came into the world to proclaim the truth. His words also bring life.

2. The Coming of the Word as the Light of the World (1:6-13)
A. The Word and John the Baptist …show more content…

He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world”

Here John makes it clear who precisely John the Baptist was. He was not the messiah he was simply the forerunner that one who was a witness to His light.

B. The World’s Response to the Word (1:10-13)
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

Here we have a description of the work of the Word. He was incarnate, but the world didn’t know it. He came to His own (the Jews) and they did not receive Him. But, those who did receive Him became His children. This is the good news! The prologue is all about introducing the audience to Jesus. Remember that it was all written so that they may believe and by believing they may find life! What is that eternal life to know

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