Reading for February 1st

 PROLOGUE

In 1.1-18: This second is distinct in style and content: The Word is the subject of the prologue; Jesus is the subject of the rest of the Gospel. references to John the Baptist(vv. 6-8, 15) connect the prologue to the beginning of the story (1.19-36; see esp. 1.30).  John's witness and contrast of Jesus with Moses identify the incarnate Word with Jesus Christ (v. 17). Themes introduced in the prologue (light and darkness, witness, knowing, believing, truth, glory born of the Spirit, the Father-Son relationship) are central to the Gospel. The prologue provides the reader with the theological perspective from which to read the story that follows. Most of the prologue is hymnic, marked by a poetic pattern in which a keyword at the end of one line is repeated at the beginning of the next. 

Read John 1.1-18. In 1.1-5: The relation of the Word to God and to creation. In verses 1-2: Echoes Gen 1.1 and positions the story of Jesus as rereading of the creation story. The Gospel speaks of God by telling the story of Jesus. Word: the active and revealing Word of God (Gen 1.1; Ps 33.6; Prov 8.22). In Judaism Word is paradox was identified with Torah. The God-Word relationship is paradoxical: distinction (with God) and identity (was God). In verses 6-8: John is a witness to Jesus; his work is the same as the purpose of the Gospel (30.31). His witness is given in some detail (1.15, 19-23, 26-27, 29-34, 36; 3.27-30, 31-36). In verses 9-11: The world (used 78 times in the Gospel) is the stage for the appearance of the Word and the manifestation of the light. It is both "all things" created by the Word (1.3) and the place where the darkness occurs, part of the paradox that the world, which was created by the Word, rejects the Word. In verses 12-13: The name of God (the father) is made known in the Word made flesh (the Son); compare 5.43; 10.25; 12.13, 28; 17.6, 11, 12, 26. Those who believe are born of God (see 3.3, 5). In verses 14-18: The Word enters history. In verse 14: In the NT only the Johannine writings speak of the incarnation (see also 1 Jn 4.2; 2 Jn 7; compare Gal 4.4). The Word "tabernacles" in the flesh and reveals God's glory (compare2.21-22 and see Ex 25.8; Ez 37.2; Zech 2.10-11; Sir 24.8 for the dwelling of God and his glory with his people). Only son: the Word's unique relationship to the father (monogenes, see 1.14, 18; 3.16, 18). The glory recalls the revelation to Moses at the giving of the law (Ex 33.18-34.8). In verse 17: Only here and in 17.3 is the double name "Jesus Christ" used. Elsewhere "Christ" is used in its meaning as "messiah" (1.20, 25, 41; 4.25 and else where). In verse18; God is hidden but known through the Son. Comments or Questions..