What Does John 1 Reveal About Jesus?

Ask almost any evangelist and they will tell you, the Gospel of John is where they suggest people begin reading the Bible. The Gospel of John has been printed and distributed on its own, exclusive of the rest of the New Testament or the entire Bible for years because of the way Jesus' identity is revealed. Full disclosure, even as a seasoned believer, I find John's gospel pretty meaty and, sometimes, a lot to take in. The first few verses, for example, reveal there is the Word of God, there is God, there is one Creator; He is Life, and He is Light. In less than sixty words! That's a lot to grasp! As John's description unfolds, we see that Jesus is the One he describes and that Jesus came to earth as a man! Why would He do that?! Again, John seeks to explain; but not before he reveals some other very pertinent facts about Jesus.

In John 1:36, He is the Lamb of God. In verses 37 & 38, He is a teacher: Rabbi, He is called. Verse 41, the awaited Messiah. Verse 49, the Son of God and King of Israel! And in verse 51, Jesus Himself says He is the Son of Man, fully human and fully God. So, while we are introduced to Jesus, while we are presented with His identity in explicit terms, I think it's important for every reader to notice how Jesus' identity is revealed to us in the events that John records. We find that in this very first chapter of John as well.

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). ~ John 1:40-42

Jesus calls Simon, Cephas, meaning "rock or stone." Jesus was either delusional, or He knew something about this man --maybe something Peter didn't even know about himself.

In verses 47 & 48, John records Jesus' meeting with Nathanael:

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

John has revealed Jesus as El Roi, the God who sees. He is the God who saw Hagar in the wilderness as she fled her mistress, Sarai. He is the God of the Old Testament as well as the New. He is the God who sees us today. He is the same yesterday, today, and for all eternity. And the Gospel of John reveals this to its readers over and over, tying in the whole of Scripture to show us the God we seek.

As we read the Bible it is essential we pray for the Holy Spirit to not only open our hearts to what is being said, but what is not being directly expressed as well; that we ask for help in "connecting the dots," and we do our part to read faithfully and expose ourselves to all of Scripture. God is not hiding from us. He desires to make Himself known and does so through His living Word.     

Photo courtesy LuAnn Martin