No more wonderful chapter can be found in God's Word than this – whether in the revelation of God, the range of divine truth, or the view of God's ways (dispensationally and morally) that it gives us!
1. First, " In the beginning " – as far back as mortal thought can carry us, we read of One who was – who never had beginning; and thus we learn of eternity, and of Him as the " Eternal." How precious that to mortals like us – yea, more, rebels (for such we were,) such is made known! First, He "was" when all things and persons knew a beginning; hence, was eternal – self-existent – Deity. Next, was "with God" – a distinct Person in the Godhead; and further, lest we think less of Him than is due, we read, He " was God." And of whom, we may ask, is all this spoken? the word – the full and perfect expression of the heart of God. Thus, in one simple word, He tells us what He is.
2. Next, what has He done? " Made all things ;" for as none but He could declare the character of God, so none other could impart life or create – "speak, and it was done; command, and it stood fast." "In Him was life" – ever there, and only He who had it in Himself could impart it or create anew, whether in a ruined world or as to fallen man.
3. Then, " He was in the world" He who was its Maker, and "it knew Him not." "He came unto His own," with the kingdom for His desolate Zion, and it would not have Him-" they received Him not." Will He leave them to their unhappy lot and choice ? No ; He lingered still, – " waited to be gracious," would not " break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax," till judgment has to be His work – His strange work – at last.
4. " Made flesh, and dwelt among us," – tabernacled – pitched His tent among men. Blessed and wonderful step further in this onward course of grace, that "though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich"!
5. But even this is not all! "The next day, . . . ' Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world ! ' " how beautiful and perfect the order given us. How many have learned that God is, has created, sent His Son (thus giving witness of Himself), and yet have not reached this " next day" of rest in Him in learning that "He bare our sins" ! And if we indeed have so learned, how often we stop short with it, and " receive the grace of God in vain"!
6. "Again the next day . . . two disciples follow Jesus" – they call Him "Master" whom they have already learned as Saviour, and ask " Where dwellest Thou?" Do we who know and trust this Saviour inquire this too? How shall we receive His answer? Just as they. " He saith unto them, 'Come and see.' " His word leads to Himself and to the secret of His presence. May we thus follow and inquire, and then abide with Him !
7. Another thing:"The day following, Jesus would go forth" etc. He leaves the " secret place," where only faith can know Him, and comes to display His glory in the kingdom long foretold, soon to be realized in power. He "comes again," and " when He shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory." We have, then, –
1.His eternal personality and Godhead …. Eternity.
2.His creative power and glory ……… Creation.
3.His incarnation (life and light for men). . Incarnation.
4.His tabernacling here (display of grace
and glory) …………………… Life.
5.His sacrificial death – "taking away sin." Cross.
6.His secret place (rejection here, glory above) ……………………… Glory.
7.His coming again, "appearing in glory.". Coming.
Thus have we here the divine record of facts of eternal value, sayings "faithful and true" (historical); next, the display therein of the ways of God with the world at large(dispensational); and last, His dealings with ourselves from the first knowledge of Himself as Creator until presented to Christ in glory, His bride, and the sharer of His throne (moral). May we learn it so, and delight our hearts in glories that thus cluster around His holy person – The Eternal Word – our own beloved Lord!
B.C.G.