Saturday, February 18, 2012

John 1-2

John's gospel has a completely different feels from the other gospels.  From the beautiful flowing words of 1:1-14, we see a little different perspective of Jesus.  John begins not with healings and forgiveness offered, which challenging the religious leaders understandings of faith and encouraging everyone else, but with calling disciples, a miracle involving wine at a wedding and then an in-your-face clearing of the temple of all the religious trappings which change the feel (and purpose) of the temple courts.  This pictures more of Jesus on the attack, rather than Jesus just doing ministry and the religious leaders try to put him down.

But the focus John's gospel is in the first chapter in which he describes Jesus as the light come into the world.  No matter what happens, the darkness cannot extinguish the light.  Even at the darkest points of ministry the light still shines.  Even at the crucifixion the light still shines. 

The chapter describes Jesus as Word always existing and becoming flesh to dwelling with man.  This affirmation of Jesus divinity is important not just in fighting the Gnostics of Jesus' day, but in talking about Jesus today.  Jesus is not just a good teacher who challenged the religious leaders of the day.  He is God.  And in that there can be no compromise.

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