SUMMARY
The prologue of the Gospel according to John describes Jesus Christ as “the Word,” which has existed before the creationCreation, in biblical terms, is the universe as we know or perceive it. Genesis says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the book of Revelation (which speaks of end times) the author declares that God created all things and... of the world. As God’s Word in human flesh, Christ reveals God’s glory.
ANALYSIS
John’s Gospel opens, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This reference to the Word recalls the opening chapter of the book of Genesis, where God creates the world by the power of speech. The Word, or logos in Greek, is God’s power to create and order life. John goes on to say that “the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of graceGrace is the unmerited gift of God's love and acceptance. In Martin Luther's favorite expression from the Apostle Paul, we are saved by grace through faith, which means that God showers grace upon us even though we do not deserve it. and truth” (John 1:14). To say that the Word became flesh means that the creative Word of God was embodied by Jesus of Nazareth, who was truly human. As the Word of God made flesh, Jesus carries out the creative and life-giving work of God. By his speech, actions, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the glory of God. Glory refers to God’s power and presence. Jesus reveals glory by miraculous actions, such as turning water into wine and raising Lazarus from the dead. He also reveals divine glory by laying down his life in love and by triumphing over death through his resurrection.
