Grace Upon Grace: The Gospel of John

Introduction

John's Gospel begins before time: In the beginning was the Word. This is a deliberate echo of Genesis 1 — and an announcement that what is about to be told is a new creation story. The Word — eternal, divine, creative — became flesh.

The Word (vv. 1–5)

The Word was with God and was God. Through Him all things were made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. This is the highest Christology in the New Testament: Jesus is not a good teacher who became divine — He is God who became man.

The True Light (vv. 6–13)

John the Baptist came to testify about the light. The light came into the world — and the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to those who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God.

The Word Became Flesh (v. 14)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Greek word for dwelt is skenoo — to tabernacle, to pitch a tent. God pitched His tent in human flesh. The incarnation is the central miracle of the Christian faith: God with skin on, living among us.

Grace Upon Grace (v. 16)

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Wave after wave of grace. Not a finite supply but an overflowing abundance. The more we receive, the more there is to receive. This is the world into which John's Gospel invites us.