Day 1
Who Is Jesus?
Read
John 1:1–18 (King James Version)
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Understand
John does not begin his Gospel at Bethlehem. He begins before creation: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” All things were made by Him, and in Him was life, and that life was the light of men. John the Baptist is introduced carefully — he came to bear witness of the Light, but “he was not that Light.” Then comes the sentence the whole passage moves toward: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” The chapter closes by saying no man has seen God at any time, but the only begotten Son “hath declared him.” John’s answer to “Who is Jesus?” is that He is the eternal Word, God Himself, who took on flesh so that God could be made known.
Key Truth
Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of God who became flesh to make God known.
Reflect
- Who did you understand Jesus to be before today? What in this passage confirms that, and what challenges it?
- Who have you understood Jesus to be?
- How does John 1 challenge or deepen that understanding?
Apply
Read verse 14 again slowly. Write down, in your own words, what it means that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Pray
“Father, help me understand who Jesus truly is. As I read Your Word, give me wisdom and help me see Christ clearly. Teach me truth and give me a heart willing to respond to what You show me. Amen.”
Next Step
You have read who He is. Tomorrow’s passage answers why He came.
