Episode #69. Today we’ll read the 1st chapter of John together: John, the disciple, tells us who Jesus is from the very beginning; Jesus is baptized; and Jesus gets Nathanael’s attention.
Transcript
Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #69. Today we’ll read the 1st chapter of John together: John, the disciple, tells us who Jesus is from the very beginning; Jesus is baptized; and Jesus gets Nathanael’s attention.
Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast. I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together. Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should. It’s just easier to do it with a friend. So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud. I’m so glad you’re here!
I’m very excited that we are beginning the book of John today. Whereas the Synoptic Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life from the vantage of say, a reporter or an historian, John is more of a preacher or teacher. He doesn’t just want us informed; he wants us transformed. By the way, if you missed or need a refresher on what the Synoptics Gospels are, go to www.liftinghervoice.com and listen to Episode 46. Oh, and if you’re like me and came out of Sunday school a little confused, there are two main Johns. There is John the Baptist and John, one of the twelve disciples. The John we’re talking about today – the disciple – wrote this Gospel that we are about to begin, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd John we’ll be reading…mmm, probably around Thanksgiving, and finally the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. John the Baptist had one main calling and that was “to prepare the way of the Lord.” Once Jesus came on the scene, his job was pretty much over. Several times, you will hear John, the disciple, being referred to as “the one whom Jesus loved.” This gives us the impression that John was Jesus’ best friend, perhaps His confidant. We’ll discuss our impressions along the way, I’m sure, but for now, let’s get started with the Gospel according to John.
John Chapter 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man named John who was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. 14 The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, “This was the One of whom I said, ‘The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’ “) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, 17 for although the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son- the One who is at the Father’s side- He has revealed Him. 19 This is John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he said. “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered. 22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord -just as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know [Him]. 27 He is the One coming after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” 28 All this happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the One I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know Him, but I came baptizing with water so He might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I watched the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He rested on Him. 33 I didn’t know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One you see the Spirit descending and resting on-He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God!” 35 Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are You staying?” 39 “Come and you’ll see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which means “Anointed One”), 42 and he brought [Simon] to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which means “Rock”). 43 The next day He decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus found Philip and told him, “Follow Me!” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth!” 46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered. 47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said about him, “Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered. 49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe [only] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “I assure you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
I think you will be glad that you have the foundation of the facts of Jesus’ life from reading the other Gospels systematically because – spoiler alert – John is going to use that foundation to help you make spiritual connections throughout this book. And he starts right out of the gate laying the groundwork to prove to you – wait for it – that Jesus is God. He states it boldly in the first line. And if that first line sounds familiar, it is. Flip to the very first line of the entire Bible (Genesis 1:1) to check it out. And when you do, take note of the plural in 1:26 and 3:22. Hmmm…who was the ‘us’? Always remember…The Lord is One. He manifests in three different persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the ‘us’) – but He is One God. Let your finite mind noodle on that today. Let’s pray. Father, we are treading on some pretty ethereal stuff here. We do have finite minds so it’s expected that we’ll have trouble with this sometimes. Help us to approach it with trepidation, respect, and soberness. You command us in Your word not to add anything to Your Word or take anything away. You also tell us it is wise to seek counsel. Help us to remember to do that, both with You in prayer and our pastors. All that said, Lord, we rejoice that You have provided Your Truth to us in a way that we may know You and love You more each day. Help us to rightly divide that truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for joining me here today. I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here. In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort. Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us. If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review. Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you right here tomorrow. Be well!
Show Notes
- Awesome Video of Solomon’s Temple
- These will help! Overview videos of all books of the Bible
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Bible Study Resources
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- The Bible Project– Free!
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