In John 1
● notice the doubly offered “in the beginning” (1, 2) inviting readers to the origin of creation, and the doubly offered “with God” (1, 2), asserting both presence and separateness,
● register the extension of declarations: not only “was” or “with God,” this “Word” actually “was God” (1), exhibiting the power of creation and life (3),
● see how this is a chapter of witness (7, 7, 8, 32, 34), especially of John the Baptist, a witness who came “to bear” (7, 8), almost like “to carry” perhaps, witness,
● understand that he came to be received, which was done by believing in his name (12), thereby gaining the “right to become children of God” (12),
● look ahead to John’s statement of purpose in writing his gospel: “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31),
● notice the threefold rejection- “not … nor … nor” (13)- presented before the simple affirmation that God’s people are “born … of God” (13),
● marvel at the plain declaration: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (14), affirming the reality that this from-the-beginning, with-God God became human flesh and lived as if in a tent or tabernacle with the “us”- John and his fellow apostles- who become another set of witnesses, those “who have seen his glory” (14),
● remember John’s assurance- “I am the voice”- that he is enacting the words of the prophet Isaiah (23),
● collect more of John the Baptist’s language of witness and testimony, including the the twice-declared “Behold, the Lamb of God” (29, 35)- I had forgotten the second reference- and the “I saw” (32) and the “I have seen” (34),
● remember that Jesus, in an act of naming, uses terms related to the word “rock,” “Cephas” (Aramaic) and “Peter” (Greek), and
● see how John’s words of testimony prompt people literally to follow Jesus (37) and how Philip’s testimony and invitation to “come and see” (46) prompt Nathaniel to get up and go.
Thank you,
Randy Tumlinson