John 1

Devotional by Jarrett Stephens

Read John 1

John 1

The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people  did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side,he has made him known.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.  One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,  you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

Jesus asked hundreds of questions during his earthly ministry. One of his most well-known questions was posed to the disciples when they traveled to Caesarea Philippi. There, surrounded by idol worship of all kinds, Jesus asked, “Who do people say that I am? (Matt. 16:13). He quickly follows it up with another question directed to each of the disciples, “But who do you say that I am? (Matt. 16:15 – emphasis mine).

While this is a question each of us must answer for ourselves, Scripture provides a clear answer in today’s reading. In the opening verses of his gospel, John reveals who Jesus is and where Jesus came from.

The term, “Word” in the original language is logos. In the Greek mindset and worldview, logos referred to the power behind all things (i.e. the divine). John used a term familiar to his audience to help clarify who Jesus is.

Jesus is the divine. He is the eternal “Word” of God (vv. 1–2) who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (v. 14). John emphasizes that when you see Jesus, you are seeing God; when you hear Jesus, you are hearing God.

Because Jesus is God, he is worthy of our worship and of a life surrendered to his lordship.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Does your life reflect the way you’ve answered?

58 thoughts on “Day One | Who is Jesus?”

  1. Jesus is God, God is Jesus, everlasting, all forgiving and all loving, merciful God. He is my Savior and my rock. He is the one that can do all things.

    I try my best to reflect this with my life but fall short. It is a constant work in progress

  4. Jesus is my Lord and Savior whom I accepted in the fall of 1971 in Lubbock Texas. Cindy was sitting right beside me that night to witness my conversion to Christ. I’m still not perfect and never will be until I go home to meet the Savior in Heaven. In the meantime, I want to serve my Master in a way that pleases Him. The first way is to take care of my precious Cindy suffering from Alzheimers disease. The next way is to witness for Him whenever I serve at the CMC. Praise God for allowing me to be His servant and witness!

    1. May God give you grace as you care for Cindy. That was special that she was there when you accepted Christ

    2. How precious is your testimony, Grady. May the Lord continue to give you grace and mercy as you continue to follow Him.

    3. Blessings to you, Grady, as you care for Cindy. Your journey will be easier because of your relationship with Christ.

  5. Jesus is my Savior. He did for me what I nor anyone could do. He saved me. To be fully known and loved this much is life changing. He is the WORD that “is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

  6. Jesus is the Lamb of God, my Lord and Savior, who died for My sins, oh Bless it be the name of the Lord. To God Be The Glory, 🙏

  7. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He is the Rock on which I stand. I am blessed beyond measure that he took my sins to the cross. Why would I not proclaim his glory and love? I will, faithfully, every day of my life.

  8. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He lives in my heart and soul every day and walks with us thru everything we go through. He took our sins on himself and gave us eternity with him.

  9. The very LEAST I can do is to reflect Jesus Christ by how I choose to live, the daily choices that I make, that will either draw me closer to Him, or create distance. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is my Lord and Savior and He is enough.

  10. Jesus is the light of the world, and we are drawn to the light. Praise God for our salvation. Do you ever wonder if we had experienced John baptizing Jesus, would we have trusted Him or chosen to follow tradition?

  11. WOOOOO JESUS ES MI SALVADOR … SALVADOR DE MI VIDA DE MI MATRIMONIO DE MIS HIJOS DE MI VIDA FAMILIA … NO HAY PALABRAS ES QUE LO ES TODO ES MI RAZON DE VIVIR Y MORIR ….. TE AMO DIOS POR AVER SALVADO MIVIDA Y MI ALMA …… QUIERO DESCANSAR EN EL SEÑOR … VIVIR UN DIA A LA VEZ .. DESPUES DE TANTO SABER QUE NADIE NADA NI UN $1 POR UNO Y SABER QUE DIOS LO DA TODO POR TI ESO ES AMOR …..

  12. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! No one comes to the Father but by Him!!!!
    He was my way to the father and He continues to advocate for me with the Father!

  13. Jesus is my Redeemer, the one who rescued me from darkness and invited me to a life filled with His light, His freedom and His joy. He is my present help, in times of trouble, and my present companion, in times of sorrow. He is my source, everything I need is found in Him, and my obsession, the thing I can’t live without.

    1. Lord Jesus You are my light that will guide me through this day. Oh thank you for verse 17 which You say the law was given to Moses but grace and truth came by You Jesus. You saved me by Your grace and truth. You Jesus are my all in all. Without You I would be nothing but with You oh Lord all things are possible. Hallelujah!! Amen.

  14. In May 1985, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. When I did, my life was changed!

  15. Jesus is:
    The Word (“logos”) made flesh, the Son of God, whose life is the eternal light of men and who gives the right to become children of God to all who receive Him and believe in Him.

    Does my life reflect how I answered?
    It does but the reflection is kind of fogged up similar to the reflection in a bathroom mirror right after a shower. I believe that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s Word as breathed out in Scripture is the spiritual defogger I need for a clear reflection.

    1. Good metaphor I feel foggy many days
      With the exception that now the Holy Spirit is my beacon

  16. And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. John 12:44-50 ESV

  17. Jesus is my kind and gracious redeemer! He is my strength and source!! Praise HIM for who he is.

  19. Jesus is my savior, he is my friend and my teacher. He is who I run to when I’m sad, hurt, happy, or mad. He gives me advice, he guides me, he loves me and he forgives me when I fall short. I am eternally grateful for everything Jesus has done.

  20. Jesus is my SAVIOR and I am truly grateful for his grace and mercy.
    This Devo, brings to light a reminder for me to be faithful in serving Him and lifting who He is and what He does and can and will do for others!
    Amen and hallelujah❣️🙏

  21. Who is Jesus? Jesus Christ is the fullness of Gods word. He extends far beyond the Bible which is the written word of God given to us. Jesus is fully man and fully God. He is Emmanuel (God with us). He became flesh and dwelt among us.

  22. Jesus is the reason he is my strength he is there for you everyday day and night

  23. Jesus is my Protector, the one who keeps me safe. He always opens a window or provides a pathway for me to get back to the main road if I have strayed or I need help. He is my Provider and always comes through even when things seem impossible. He is my Savior and everything I need is found in Him.

  24. I like the definition from the Greek, and their mindset on logos, “the Word”. It takes a deeper meaning than the new western definition, so I better understand and appreciate the reason why John used that to define/describe who Jesus is. He is the “power behind EVERYTHING”!

    He has pulled me from the pit more times than I can remember. When life seemed most hopeless and I was living in sin and willful disobedience, seemingly paralyzed and unable to turn my life around, He was there, showed Himself as my heavenly Father and He rescued me. By His grace alone, I am here today. Thank you God for lifting me up out of the miry clay and setting my foot upon a rock. Thank you King Jesus for saving me. You are the way, the truth, the life!

  25. Jesus is the lamb of God, my lord and Savior, my father, my wonderful counselor, the prince of Peace, our Redeemer. He came to bring us light, hope, love, and salvation. Reading the scripture reveals Gods sovereignty. He knows each and everyone of us, and yet still chooses to call us his own, and love us unconditionally. We love you Jesus! Hallelujah

  26. Jesus is God. He is my Savior and Lord. I praise Him and thank Him for Who He is. I cannot imagine my life without Him in the center of it. He made the ultimate sacrifice for me and for you so that we could be in heaven with Him forever and ever. His love is overwhelming and never ending and unconditional. Where else but in Jesus could we find that kind of love?

  27. I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my savior and lord when I was a young boy. I believe the Holy Spirit prompted me in a unmistakable and intentional way and I walked down the aisle in a revival in our church. I also believe that because I was introduced to the Bible and the gospel by my Sunday school teachers and I am forever grateful for their hearts of sharing the good news. JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! PTL

  28. Jesus is God He is my Lord & Savior. He saved me and I am so grateful. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Amen & Amen

  29. Our family was Mormon and at age 9 our entire family came to know the true Jesus and accepted Him as our Lord and Savior within three weeks, thanks to a friend who cared enough about other’s souls. We will never forget the day we received a Bible and was able to worship God and not man. Life has never been the same since as we know without a shadow of a doubt that we have eternal life. It’s comforting to know our parents are with Him now.

  30. Jesus is my Lord and Savior, full of grace and truth (John1:14), to die for my sins on the cross and give true life. I try to follow him every day and fall short. But I’m confident He is faithful to complete the work He began in me.

  31. Consider how logos is used in the New Testament and how easy it is to translate it as “Jesus” instead of mere “Word”. John 17:17, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 4:2 just to name a few. He is the Incarnate Word made flesh. Praise the Lord that He did dwell among us and we have seen His glory.

    1. Thank you for this comment! Already looked at these verses and made a note in my Bible.

  32. JESUS is everything to me: life, love, mercy, hope, joy, peace. I can do all things because He is always with me!!!

  33. Jesus is my lord and savior. He is always with me . I know I am not perfect , so I am constantly praying for forgiveness. The lord provides the joy that I have in my heart.

  34. I think of Jesus as a friend that I hold close to my heart. I love sharing my joys and sorrows, my wants and needs. Forever friends

  35. Jesus is my everything! He is Savior , Healer, Teacher, Friend, Father and so much more. He is the center of my life .

    Does my life reflect it: Although far from perfect, I strive to do my best to serve others, Share God’s love and lead my daily life with a servants heart. I start and end my day speaking to my Heavenly Father because he is my guide when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I’m lost and when I’m hurt . He reminds me of all the ways he demonstrates His love for us.

  36. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, my faithful and true Redeemer, Who alone paid for
    my sin with His own blood , dying for me and being raised to life , and He’s now seated enthroned on high, guaranteeing my eternal
    life . He saved me by His marvelous grace out of His great love and mercy, opening my eyes to His truth and granting me the faith to believe and fully trust Him to save and keep me. It still amazes me !

  37. Jesus is Lord, Yahweh, Emmanuel, the son of God, and the Messiah. As John 3:16 says “and whoever believes in him shall not parish but live eternally”. I believe that Jesus is our savior and that we should repent to him everyday because of the fact that he died for our sins and that we are sinners. Jesus also gives us grace and this is who he is as he loves us all.

  38. I have always especially loved the beginning of this passage:

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

    That is such a powerful statement and description of Who Jesus is. He is also the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.

  39. Such a blessing to have this first chapter of the Gospel of John! A chapter that has been preserved and shared through the ages. The chapter that tells us exactly Who Jesus is. An even greater blessing is realizing that He lives in my heart!

  40. When I think about Jesus and who he is, my first thought is he is Love. With out his Love for us all of our lives would be changed in so many ways

  41. Have you noticed the different ways in which Jesus is called in this chapter of John 1? Making the list is a good exercise to complement the devotional. ✝️

  44. Thank you Father God, for revealing yourself to me through person of Jesus and in the power of Holy Spirit.

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