He Brings the Manifestation of God
To All He Brings
December 24, 2021
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
John presents Jesus—the eternal Word—as the visible revelation of God's glory, and only by embracing Christ can we truly know and be reconciled to the holy Creator.
Summary
John's prologue reaches back to Genesis to show that the primary purpose of the Word is to make God known; verse 18 climaxes this thought by declaring that the one at the Father's side uniquely reveals the Father. Because God's holiness and human sinfulness cannot coexist, no one can stand before God on their own merits or be saved by natural knowledge or worldly living. The gospel is that Jesus, the only one who has been with the Father, has made God known to us—so to have Christ is to have God and receive true reconciliation and wholeness.
Key Points
- John's intent: portray Jesus so we see God's glory, linking the prologue back to Genesis
- John 1:18: the Word's chief function is to make God known; embracing Jesus is embracing the Father
- The holy Creator and sinful creature cannot coexist; humans cannot stand before God's holiness on their own
- The one at the Father's side (Jesus) alone reveals God—this is the heart of the gospel
- Knowledge of God from nature or seeking worldly approval/fleshly desires cannot save or bring true freedom
- If you have Christ, you have God and the reconciliation and wholeness he brings
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