"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3).

John tells us that his gospel is written, “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” With that purpose in view he begins by giving us insight regarding the high station occupied by the Son.

These verses certainly dispel any idea that Jesus was just a good man, or only a great example, or was simply an outstanding teacher. He was much more than that: he was God.

John describes Jesus as the Word and insists that Jesus was in the beginning. A “word” is an expression, a means of communication. So by the living Word, God is revealing himself to man. This is explained further in Hebrews 1:1-2:

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

John tells us in his gospel and in his first epistle that Jesus was with the Father and has now been “manifested unto us” (1 John 1:2). So the Word was with God and was God.  Jesus himself declared, “I and my father are one” (John 10:30). Not long ago I was talking with a Muslim who is a teacher in a local mosque in Cincinnati. He adamantly held to the view that Jesus was not God and never claimed to be. But the Jews understood very well this was Jesus’ claim and that is why they had such hatred toward him. “The Jews sought the more to kill him, because he…said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

Nature reveals the existence of God; it displays his power and wisdom. But the Word reveals his love, mercy, and grace. “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).By Jesus’ coming into the world we see the love of God. He gave his Son to bring salvation. We see the mercy of God when we learn that Jesus came to lay down his life for sinners. We see God’s grace when we see the depth from which sinners are rescued and the height to which they are elevated, adopted into God’s own family.

What an exalted position was occupied by the Word before he humbled himself to come to earth! All things were made by him.

He could not have been the Creator if he himself had been created. Paul describes it this way, “By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17). How amazing! Jesus created all things, brought forth something out of nothing. By Jesus Christ all things were created and are held together.Sometimes we hear people talk about Jesus as though he is perpetually frustrated in that he cannot accomplish what he desires, because of man's unwillingness to cooperate with him. But that is not the picture we get when we look at what is described in Scripture.

The prophet that spoke of his coming to earth said, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged.” He endured much criticism and faced continuous opposition throughout his ministry, but he was not thwarted in his purpose. He continued fulfilling his Father's will, to the end of saving his people from their sins.His enemies finally nailed him to the cross. They no doubt felt a sense of victory. They had gotten rid of this man they so much despised. But he did not fail! He accomplished in his death and resurrection the purpose for which he came. He paid the price of redemption for all those given him by the Father and secured them so that they will be with him forever. Since he is the Creator, we can be assured that the work he came to do—on the very earth he himself created—will be successful.

The apostle Paul wrote confidently, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). He knows more about you than you can possibly know about yourself. You may often be mistaken about what you really need; but he knows and will supply it according to his purpose and on his timetable.Do you not stand in awe of such a Savior? The living Word who made all things became a man, went to the cross to save ruined sinners, and arose triumphantly from the dead. We should all be able to say with the hymn writer, “Hallelujah! What a savior!” Do you believe on him? Why would you hesitate to trust this great Savior, the only hope for your soul?