The Eternal Word
Jeremy Northrop
The life of Christ is something which is often viewed as only His 33 years or so while He was on this earth. Truly, this would only be the life of Christ on Earth. Jesus, the Son (just as the Father and the Spirit) is eternal. This is brought to light in the opening verses of the gospel account of John:
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 nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:1-5).
These verses, which describe Jesus as the Word also give a lot of valuable information about Jesus. Specifically, they tell how Jesus was present at creation (a point confirmed in Genesis 1:26), involved in creation, and how He is the standard of righteousness for Christians today.
Ninety-two percent of the information revealed about Christ in the book of John is unique to John. John is able, in a very masterful way, to bring Jesus to a personal level and presents His deity, divinity, and other characteristics of Christ. Some of the titles which John ascribes to Christ tell of His unique nature. John is the one who calls Jesus the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36). The text under consideration for this article provides some insight into the life of Christ.
The Word Was (verse 1)
A quote from Guy Woods’ commentary on the gospel of John will explain this in a good way:
Here, emphasis is given, not so much to Him who performed the works of creation (this is done in the final clause of John 1.1), but to the time when the Word was there.
In truth, the life of Christ is without time or eternal in nature. This is why Jesus could say, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). There are several false doctrines which are refuted by this idea. Some contend Jesus or the Word is merely an aspect of deity and not deity entirely. John 1:1 denies such. Others say Jesus is merely a part of God or a characteristic of God in essence denying the trinity. John 1:1 denies such. The text says Jesus (the Word) “was with God” and “was God.” When did all of this take place? The first three words of the book of John answer such for us. It was “In the beginning….” This point is confirmed for us in Philippians 2:5-11. Paul makes it vividly clear that Jesus was equal to God and chose to come to Earth for mankind’s redemption. The Word (Jesus) is eternal and as such was able to be in the beginning. Verse 1 of the text is summed up or, in some small way, repeated for emphasis in verse 2: “He was in the beginning with God.”
Through the Word All Things were Created (verse 3)
This concept brings to light so many things about what took place the first week of time or creation week. A proper understanding of this passage will help one to better understand what the purpose of Christ was and is. It also helps one to better appreciate what Christ did near the end of His life on Earth when He died for the sins of mankind. While Jesus did not create all things alone (a point again confirmed in Genesis 1:26), from this passage, one can see He was involved in what took place creation week. Exactly what was His involvement? It may not be entirely clear but one can know that He was indeed involved as the text says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” How much was made through Christ? All things. What was made without Christ? Nothing. Jesus was somehow involved in the creation of all things.
This passage, combined with some others, gives some indication as to exactly how Jesus Christ was involved in all things. Romans 11:36 says, “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” This passage is speaking of God, the Father, indicating He was involved in creation. He was the source of all things. 1Corinthians 8:6 shows there is a difference in roles between God, the Father, and God, the Son: “...yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” If nothing more, this verse teaches both the Father and the Son were present at creation and involved in creation in some way. Interestingly, the Spirit was there as well indicated in Genesis 1:2.
In Him was Life (verse 4)
Jesus is life in that He was the source of Life which was in the creation of man (Genesis 1:26). Jesus is the source of eternal life as seen in John 14:6. Both of these ideas are seen in John 1:4-5. Life is preserved by Christ. John 8:12 says, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” He is the light (righteousness) of the world. In contrast, darkness (sin) does not exist or is dispelled when righteousness or light is performed. The two concepts go against each other and cannot exist together.
This point is vividly confirmed in verse five. John actually changes the verb tense in verse 5 to indicate a continuous or constant action. The darkness does not and will no longer comprehend it. This gives insight into the power of Christ. He is able to quench unrighteousness forever!
The Word was present in eternity, had a part in the creation of the world, and stands as the standard for righteousness for mankind today. Jesus is amazing.