The Word

“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...

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.”

(John 1:1,14 ESV emphasis added)

This particular passage of Scripture has stood out starkly in my mind ever since I first became aware of its meaning at 17. I mean, seriously, in what greater way could you rapidly lay out the facts about who Jesus is and what He did outside of the Bible? To me, it also sounds like the author (John, one of Jesus’ twelve close disciples, and known throughout this book as “the one Jesus loved”) is incredulous at the beautiful fact of the Gospel incarnate. Jesus, the very Word of God, and the “exact imprint of His nature,” wrapped himself in human flesh to save a blinded, wretched race; conquering darkness for all of time. John revels in this realest of realities by saying that “we have seen His glory” and waxes poetic on Christ’s undeniable deity. To understand his excitement, and to find out who the ‘we’ is,  we’ve gotta go to the source: God’s precious word. Ready to jump in super briefly with me? 

Matthew 17:1-8 is an awesome place to get a closer look at what John is talking about: 

 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

   And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."

 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” 

(Matthew 17:1, ESV emphasis added)

 According to this passage, (famously called the Transfiguration) Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of Jesus glorified. They literally ‘saw His glory.’ Not only that, they were covered in it! I don’t blame Peter for being super stoked and absolutely terrified about seeing Elijah and Moses talking with his Master and his Master beaming brighter than the sun, but it was pretty foolish to blurt out and ‘shoot from the hip’ the way that he did. In studying for this post, I discovered that in Mark’s coverage of this same event in chapter 9 verse 6, it literally says “For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” 

A classic case of talking to fill the terrifying silence. 

I feel ya Peter. 

James and John didn’t join in the silly act, but wow John sure gets to talk about it in a big way later! Imagine seeing Jesus uncovered in all of His awesome, radiant glory: to not even be able to stand or look at your Master with the eyes of your broken flesh. But years later, inspired by the Holy Spirit to write what you have seen and heard, you return to the mountain: and look at your Messiah with the eyes of your redeemed soul. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”must have thrilled John to his very core. 

This, my dear friends, is the pith of the Gospel. 

John MacArthur commentates on this verse in his study Bible, and puts it far more succinctly than I can. Here it is: 

“Darkness is not able to overcome or conquer the light. Just as a single candle can overcome a room filled with darkness, so also the powers of darkness are overcome by the person and work of the Son through his death on the cross.”

What a glorious truth! This is why we celebrate. Today, and every day. 

•••

My very favorite Christmas carol is “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and part of the reason is its touching on John 1. The carol, like John, looks on Jesus’ appearance in time and His victory over all things eternally. Because of Jesus and His work on the cross, we can count ourselves tonight among the faithful, joyful and triumphant. Not because of anything that we’ve done, but because of what He’s done. Brothers and sisters, let’s adore Him. Let’s adore Him in the way we live, speak, and think. May our prayer be that when people see us, they will see Christ and Him only. Let’s keep Christmas 365 days of the year. May it be so, “For from Him, through Him, and to Him is everything. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen “ (Romans 11:36)

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above
Glory to God, all glory in the highest

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

We’ll give You all the glory
We’ll give You all the glory
We’ll give You all the glory
Christ the Lord

We’ll praise Your name forever
We’ll praise Your name forever
We’ll praise Your name forever
Christ the Lord