John 1:1-18

 John 1:1-18

It might be possible to focus a lifetime of study on the verse that open John's gospel and never reach the depth of all they have to offer. This is one of the places where Jewish and Greek thought intersects most dramatically. The common Jewish people lost the Hebrew language that was reserved for scholars. Instead they spoke and read Aramaic. In the translation of the Hebrew scripture into the common language of Aramaic in order to avoid dishonoring God they would translation anything that sounded like an anthropomorphism with “the word”. So the Hebrew text that reads, “My hand laid the foundation of the Earth” was translated into “By my word I have founded the Earth”. In the scripture of the common people hundreds of references to God became “the Word”. This was especially true of the wisdom of God.

The Greeks came to “the Word” from a different perspective. The Greeks believed that life, nature, and the whole universe was in a state of flux or constant change. So what kept this state of flux from spiraling out of control and into total chaos? “The word” which was the logic, or wisdom, or reason of the supernatural divine. The guiding force for the universe was “the Word” and “the Word” would bring all things to their appropriate conclusion.

John opens his gospel with the intersection of Jewish and Greek thought by staying the activity and reality of God (the Jewish understanding) and that which gives purpose and guidance to the universe (the Greek understanding) became human in the person of Jesus. It is easy to read this passage and fail to take in the marvel of God's providence in bringing these two languages to this place to communicate such wonder.

But this is more than a fascinating historical moment of language or a philosophical religious statement. Verse 16 is a fantastic statement; “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace”. Literally this can be translated we have received “grace for grace”. It is by God's grace that we can even receive grace. One moment of grace leads to another moment of grace. We have grace for every circumstance and every occasion. Just when we think we have plumbed the depths of grace we discover beyond that there is still more grace. As marvelous as this the intersection of Jewish and Greek thought and language there is a greater moment. Overshadowing all else is our intersection with grace for this is a personal, individual, and relational grace from God.

“Lord, open my eyes to the constant of Your grace. AMEN”