John 1:1-2

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." John 1:1-2

Let's start with the question of who Jesus is. John gives us a rather open, though a bit mystical answer. He calls Jesus "The Word" and tells us that The Word was with God and The Word was God and The Word was in the very beginning. Like I said, John is somewhat mystical or philosophical in his statement. Let's examine his statements one by one.

The Word is Jesus, that is found in verse 14 where John tells us that The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He completes this thought in verse 17 when he simply tells us that Jesus is whom he is talking about. OK. So Jesus is The Word. What does that mean? John tells us that Jesus spoke nothing except what He heard the Father speak (John 5:19). Jesus was therefore the spokesman for the Father, the Living Word of God. With this established, let's move on to the next statement.

The Word was with God. This is important. We have already established that Jesus spoke and did only what the Father told Him to speak. This could indicate a subordinate position, and there are those who argue this point. But they would be wrong. The word "with" indicates a rather close relationship. When a person is "with" someone, the implication is that the person spends considerable time in the presence of that individual. The question is when and where did the person spend time with someone. Fortunately John tells us that as well.

The Word was with God from the very beginning. Depending upon your personal philosophy and understanding of eternity, the beginning may be the beginning of human chronology (the creation) or more literally, from the very beginning of eternity. Either way, that is a long-term relationship. I personally believe that time was created by God "in the beginning" so that you and I would have something to peg events upon. With God, time is totally irrelevant. Since He has always existed, He has no need of time. We, on the other hand, find eternity past or eternity future hard to comprehend, though the latter, eternity future, is an easier concept to grasp than past eternity. We DO seem to ask, "Where did God come from?" But, just in case you are not sure that time alone is sufficient to make Jesus equal with God, read the next statement.

The Word WAS God. Does John mean that the Father and the Son are co-equal? It rather appears that, that is his implication, they are so co-equal that they are literally fused into one being. I rather suspect that indeed the Son, The Word, would know the Father's mind if they are that close!

Let's see what we have established. From the very beginning of eternity God the Father and Jesus the Son, The Word as John calls Him, have been together. We have also established that though they are co-equal, each has a specific responsibility. The Father thinks, the Son speaks, and let's not forget that Genesis 1:1 tells us that the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the chaotic earth. There we have it, the Three-in-One, the Godhead, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.