Who is Jesus of Nazareth? This question has troubled and stirred the hearts of millions for thousands of years. Many have found, and continue to find, in His name rest for their souls and strength in hours of trial and suffering. Others, on the contrary, use every means at their disposal to dishonor His name and those who glorify His sacrifice.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Jesus of Nazareth is the most extraordinary person in all human history. No emperor, commander, or philosopher has occupied such a place in the minds and hearts of people as Jesus Christ. Why did a simple village teacher, who during His earthly life had but a small number of disciples, become a figure of truly universal significance? His name, reviled and persecuted during His life, after His death became a power that continues to change destinies and lives. Who was this Man, and what did He do to exert such influence upon human history?
Every person, at some moment in life, asks the question: Is there a God? This inward question is part of every human being. There is no one who has not sensed the reality of a supernatural power manifested in life. It is not something material that we can fully explain or describe; the spiritual realm is a reality for all who live.
Each of us hears the voice of conscience restraining us from evil and directing us toward good. The very awareness of good and evil testifies to the reality of a Lawgiver who has determined what is good and what is evil. God, who is the Creator and Designer of all that we see and know, is also the absolute Lawgiver. The voice of conscience speaking within us is a reflection of His eternal will, and by obeying it, man lives.
Yet who is this God? Why did He create mankind? What does He desire from us? And most importantly—why am I here?
Our observation of nature, the universe, and ourselves leads us to firm conviction: God is. This is called general revelation. But however beautiful the world may be, and however just the moral law within us, this does not answer the questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?
The great and almighty God did not desire to leave mankind in ignorance. God desires that His creation—you and I—should know Him: His nature, His character, and His plan for our lives. For this reason He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to reveal Himself, to declare His power and authority, and to make known His love for you—the life for which you and I were created.
God left His letter to all who seek Him and desire to know Him and to have fellowship with Him. That letter is the Bible—the special revelation of God and His will.
Throughout history God spoke to people—through Moses, the leaders of Israel, and the prophets. Yet despite the great work done among the people of Israel, most were deaf to the voice of God and indifferent to His will revealed through the prophets. Therefore, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son to speak plainly to mankind and to show them the way to Himself.
It is of the coming of the Son of God—Jesus—that the Gospel according to Gospel of John speaks. In its first chapter, John sets the tone for the entire book, revealing the nature of Jesus as the Son equal in essence with the Father. He then shows the coming of the Son of God in human flesh, dwelling among men, teaching the ways of God, feeding and healing. The first chapter of John answers the question: Who is Jesus Christ?
John 1:1–5 — The Eternal Word
The first five verses form the beginning of a poetic hymn praising the eternally existing Word—Jesus Christ. Unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke, who begin with the chronology of Jesus’ earthly life, John lays the foundation of his Gospel before the creation of the world:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The first verse declares that in the very beginning the Word already was—just as God Himself was. “The Word was with God” speaks of unity and intimacy with God the Father, pointing to one of the central truths of Christianity—the triune nature of God. “And the Word was God” affirms that the Word is not merely a created being but is Himself God.
Why “the Word”? Consider this: by listening to what a person says, we understand who he is and what fills his heart. Jesus Christ—the Word—is God’s own self-revelation. The difference is this: man may lie, but God is true.
Verse three declares that all things were made through Him. We see confirmation of this in Genesis 1: “And God said… and it was so.” Through the Word the Father created the world. Everything that exists was made through Him.
Verse four speaks of the life that was in the Word. This life He brought to men dwelling in darkness and unbelief. Nothing could overcome this light, for its nature is divine. “The light shines in the darkness,” and it has always shone to guide mankind.
John 1:6–8 — John the Witness
John the Evangelist speaks of another John—John the Baptist—whom God sent to bear witness to the Word. It had been prophesied of him: “A voice crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’”
His role was to preach repentance and prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. Just as a blind man cannot see the healer unless someone tells him, so John pointed the spiritually blind to the One who could bring light and healing to their souls.
Though his role was great, John was not the Light. He repeatedly made this clear, refusing glory that belonged to the Son.
John 1:9–13 — The True Light
Jesus Christ is called the true Light—not because John spoke falsely, but because Christ surpasses all prophets in His divine nature. This Light “enlightens everyone.”
Though He revealed the beauty of life in God, most did not receive Him—even His own people rejected Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—born not of human will, but of God.
John 1:14–18 — The Word Became Flesh
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The eternal Word took on human nature and lived among men, revealing “grace and truth.”
From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law given through Moses revealed sin, but Jesus Christ brings deliverance from sin and condemnation. He is the greatest gift God could give—He gave Himself for our sins.
John 1:19–34 — John Testifies About Christ
When questioned about his ministry, John again declared that he was not the Messiah but had come to point to Him. He called Jesus:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Though they may not have fully understood, they knew the weight of sin and the burden of the law. John testified that he saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus, confirming Him as the Savior.
John 1:35–51 — The First Disciples
John pointed two of his disciples—Andrew and likely John—to Jesus. Andrew immediately told his brother Simon, whom Jesus named Peter. Jesus then called Philip, who brought Nathanael. Nathanael at first doubted, but upon encountering Jesus and hearing His divine knowledge, believed and confessed Him as the Son of God.
Jesus promised that they would see even greater things.
Conclusion
The Gospel of John is a great testimony concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. John’s chief purpose was to reveal Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus Christ is not merely a man but the almighty God who came into the world to save those condemned to eternal suffering.
Jesus Christ is the way, and the truth, and the life. Those who sincerely seek God and desire to know His will come to Him through Jesus Christ.